In 1999, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) directed the vaccine manufacturers to take mercury out of all childhood vaccines.
In October 2001, the Institute of Medicine issued a report that said it is biologically plausible
that mercury-containing vaccines could cause injury to the brain but there have been too few scientific studies conducted to prove conclusively that mercury in vaccines has caused brain damage.
Nevertheless, the Institute of Medicine recommended that drug companies take all mercury out of all vaccines and over-the-counter drugs.
In compliance with this recommendation a preservative-free flu vaccine formulated for children ages six to 35 months, with only a trace amount of thimerosal, is available. All multi-dose vials of influenza vaccine contain thimerosal.
Many influenza vaccines in the U.S. also contain the mercury preservative, Thimerosal, in amounts above federal safety guidelines. Thimerosal free influenza vaccine is also licensed in the U.S. and it is advisable to request these vaccines in advance from your healthcare provider, if your preference is the Thimerosal free version. Click here to determine which vaccines are thimerosal free.
