Impact of the 1999 AAP/USPHS Statement on Thimerosal in Vaccines
This review looks at the effects of the recommendations to delay the first after Hep B vaccine in newborns due to the presence of thimerosal, a mercury containing preservative. This review finds that the rates of vaccination dropped with the recommendation and have not return. A few things to consider. Hep B is a blood borne illness; transmitted via blood contact, unprotected sexual relations and IV drug use. How many infants are unknowingly exposed to these risks factors? Not many, I would guess. Infants borne of Hep B+ mothers know this. I would support vaccination in these infants. But a blanket recommendation to all infants? I have a problem with that. Not all infants are at risk. An additional note on the “safe” thimerosal. The mercury present in these vaccines given to infants can potentiall cause problems. The mercury is directly injected, thereby bypassing the GI’s ability to reduce absorption. The infant has no effective route of elimination of mercury via the bile. And the infant has not yet developed a strong blood-brain barrier to keep mercury away from nervous tissue. Does thimerosal still sound safe? Impact of the 1999 AAP/USPHS Joint Statement on Thimerosal in Vaccines on Infant Hepatitis B Vaccination Practices
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