30 more States in USA to Ban Mercury Laced Vaccines.

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http://www.qctimes.net/articles/2005/12/06/news/local/doc43952975174bc251623528.\

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Vaccine additive banned in Iowa

By Rachelle Treiber Just as Iowa records the season’s first official case of

influenza, pediatricians are reminding parents that children younger than 2

years face nearly the same risks associated with the illness as adults older

than 65.

But while some parents are leery of the pediatric flu vaccination — which can

contain preservatives such as thimerosal, a mercury-based compound added to some

vaccines — Iowans can rest easy.

Earlier this year, the state became the first in the nation to ban the use of

preservatives in childhood vaccines.

In 1999, when it was discovered that immunized children had accidentally been

exposed to mercury levels well over federal limits, the American Academy of

Pediatrics called for thimerosal to be removed from vaccines as a precaution.

It was eliminated from nearly all vaccines except the one used for the flu.

Since the Iowa ban went in place during January, California has followed suit

and more than 30 other states have similar bans under consideration. Illinois is

among them.

In August, Gov. Rod Blagojevich approved the Mercury-Free Vaccine Act. As of

next year, the percentage of mercury used in vaccines will be limited. As of

2008, no Illinois resident will be vaccinated with a product containing mercury.

“This was not an issue that we pushed. It was legislator-backed,” said Kevin

Teale, communications director for the Iowa Department of Public Health.

Former Iowa Sen. Ken Veenstra, R-Orange City, oversaw an investigation that

led to the ban.

Veenstra, who was chairman of the Senate Human Resources Committee, said at

the time that he combed through all of the available scientific and biological

data before backing the prohibition.

“After three years of review, I became convinced there was sufficient credible

research to show a link between mercury and the increased incidences in autism,”

he said. “Iowa’s 700 percent increase in autism that began in the 1990s, right

after more and more vaccines were added to the children’s vaccine schedules, is

solid evidence alone.”

Many parents and medical experts agree, arguing that mercury exposure is at

the core of a number of serious medical disorders, ranging from childhood autism

to Alzheimer’s disease. Much of their anger is aimed at thimerosal.

Other experts disagree, however.

The American Dental Association flatly denies that mercury-based fillings pose

any risk to patients, and the Autism Society of America says there is no known

cause for autism, but that it most likely is genetic.

Either way, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention still recommend that children 6 to 24 months of age be

vaccinated against influenza.

They say that while mercury is a toxic substance known to be harmful to

humans, especially pregnant women, infants and children, the vaccines on the

market yield what is considered well below the acceptable level of mercury.

Public health experts say the decision to vaccinate your child against

influenza should be taken very seriously.

“It is most dangerous for the little ones, those under 6 months, and since

they cannot be vaccinated, we need to vaccinate those around them who could pass

it to them,” said Roma Taylor, a registered nurse and clinical services

coordinator for the Scott County Health Department.

Taylor said the department administers flu shots to youngsters through its

Vaccine for Children program, which is available to those who are

Medicaid-eligible, uninsured, underinsured or American Indian.

And those parents have not questioned whether their child’s vaccine contains

thimerosal.

“We do have it available preservative-free, but no parents have specifically

asked for it,” Taylor said. “We really haven’t had anyone question if the

vaccinations had thimerosal or any other preservatives in them.”

Health experts said that until a ban is passed in Illinois, parents can

request a preservative-free flu shot for their child, but the request must be

made before the vaccine supply is ordered, which can be done as early as May.

Rachelle Treiber can be contacted at (563) 383-2363 or rtreiber.

 

 

 

 

We have grasped the mystery of the atom and rejected the Sermon on the Mount.

Ours is a world of nuclear giants and ethical infants. We know more about war

than we know about peace, more about killing that we know about living.

-- General Omar Bradley

 

 

 

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