At
a glance:
Thimerosal
is a mercury-containing preservative
used in some vaccines and other products
since the 1930's. No harmful effects
have been reported from thimerosal at
doses used in vaccines, except for minor
reactions like redness and swelling at
the injection site. However, in July
1999, the Public Health Service (PHS)
agencies, the American Academy of Pediatrics
(AAP), and vaccine manufacturers agreed
that thimerosal should be reduced or
eliminated in vaccines as a precautionary
measure.
Today,
with the exception of some Influenza
(flu) vaccines, none of the vaccines
used in the U.S. to protect preschool
children against 12 infectious diseases
contain thimerosal as a preservative.
This page leads to many pages that answer
common questions along with links to
background documents, etc.
