| Thiomersal in vaccines: is removal warranted? | |
| | |
MedLine Citation:
|
PMID: 11480489 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
|
The mercury-based vaccine preservative thiomersal has come under scrutiny in recent months because of its presence in certain vaccines that provide the foundation of childhood immunisation schedules. Over the past decade new vaccines have been added to the recommended childhood schedule, and the relatively smaller bodyweight of infants has led to concern that the cumulative exposure of mercury from infant vaccines may exceed certain guidelines for the human consumption of mercury. In the US, government agencies and professional societies have recently recommended that thiomersal be removed altogether from vaccines. Some involved in developing vaccine policy feel that the evidence to support these safety concerns has not risen to the level required for such a response. This apparent divergence of opinion has left healthcare professionals and the public with uncertainty about the potential health effects from low level exposure to thiomersal as well as the necessity of removing thiomersal from vaccines. At present, scientific investigation has not found conclusive evidence of harm from thiomersal in vaccines. As a precautionary measure, efforts are under way to remove or replace thiomersal from vaccines and providers should anticipate the availability of more vaccine products that are thiomersal-free over the coming years. |
| | |
Authors:
|
C J Clements; L K Ball; R Ball; R D Pratt |
Related Documents
:
|
19887009 - Uptake of meningococcal conjugate vaccine among adolescents in large managed care organ... 9583249 - Vaccine coverage during a school-based hepatitis b immunization program. 15538319 - Vaccination coverage among children entering school--united states, 2003-04 school year. 15709059 - Barriers to adolescent immunization: a survey of family physicians and pediatricians. 19414689 - Social marketing as a strategy to increase immunization rates. 20438879 - Factors underlying parental decisions about combination childhood vaccinations includin... 15957259 - Identification of delta7 phytosterols and phytosteryl glucosides in the wood and bark o... 10967219 - Application of dna vaccine technology to aquaculture. 21533229 - Pre-existing adenovirus immunity modifies a complex mixed th1 and th2 cytokine response... |
Publication Detail:
|
Type: Journal Article; Review |
Journal Detail:
|
Title: Drug safety : an international journal of medical toxicology and drug experience Volume: 24 ISSN: 0114-5916 ISO Abbreviation: Drug Saf Publication Date: 2001 |
Date Detail:
|
Created Date: 2001-08-01 Completed Date: 2002-01-22 Revised Date: 2005-11-16 |
Medline Journal Info:
|
Nlm Unique ID: 9002928 Medline TA: Drug Saf Country: New Zealand |
Other Details:
|
Languages: eng Pagination: 567-74 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
|
Department of Vaccines and Biologicals, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland. clementscj@who.ch |
Export Citation:
|
APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
|
Child Forecasting Humans Immunization Programs Infant Mercury Poisoning, Nervous System / prevention & control Preservatives, Pharmaceutical / adverse effects*, standards Risk Assessment Thimerosal / adverse effects*, standards United States Vaccines / administration & dosage, adverse effects*, chemistry |
| Chemical | |
Reg. No./Substance:
|
0/Preservatives, Pharmaceutical; 0/Vaccines; 54-64-8/Thimerosal |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
Previous Document: Paternal involvement in kinship foster care services in one father and multiple father families.
Next Document: Is gender a risk factor for adverse drug reactions? The example of drug-induced long QT syndrome.