Flu Shots and Mercury Toxicity

by Lauren Feder, M.D.

Mercury has been the topic of discussion as a contaminant in our foods (fish) and as a preservative in vaccines. Mercury is also known as thimerosol, and as the trade name rithialate. It is currently in vaccines and has been used since the 1930s. Mercury is known to be toxic to the neurological system and the kidneys. Levels of mercury accumulate with increased mercury containing shots. The cumulative exposure to mercury can exceed federal mercury guidelines (which is based on primarily ingested mercury not injected.)

Mercury is considered more dangerous the earlier a human has been exposed (i.e. in the developing fetus and infants). Mercury can pass through the placenta and accumulate in the unborn child. Mercury is toxic and can cause damage to the brain and nervous system to the developing bodies of unborn babies, infants and young children.

The FDA has advised that women of child bearing age avoid such fish as shark, mackeral, swordfish, and tilefish. A pregnant woman who eats a serving of swordfish could subject her developing fetus to toxic levels of mercury. To complicate matters the CDC has recommended that pregnant women in their second and third trimesters receive the flu vaccine. However, the flu vaccine contains mercury.

Manufacturers have been asked to voluntarily stop using mercury in vaccines as a precaution. However, there are still vaccines with mercury that are being administered. The most provocative studies have come from researchers who are independent or not affiliated with government agencies or pharmaceutical companies.

The following vaccines contain mercury

• DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis)
  DTaP (all products) Hib (Haemophilus influenzae (Hib) Infection -some lots) Hepatitis B (some lots)
• Influenza (Flu shot - all products)

The following vaccines do NOT contain mercury

• Polio MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Prevnar (Pneumococcal)

Researchers correlated exposure to mercury to neurodevelopmental outcomes as nervous tics, speech delay, sleep disorders, A.D.D, and autism. Currently there are groups like National Vaccine Information Center who are demanding that toxic chemicals like mercury be removed from vaccinations.