Flu Vaccine

For those of you planning to give your child flu shots, you might want to inquire whether or not the shot contains mercury. Apparently mercury (thimerosol) is used to help preserve the vaccine giving it a longer shelf life. There are only 8 states that have banned the use of mercury in flu shots due to potential health risks.

I did not want to alarm anyone, but just wanted to share some info that was given to me:

Here is information from the CDC:

http://www.cdc.gov/od/science/iso/concerns/thimerosal.htm

Here is info from another website:

http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_3400.cfm

Here is information from an organization that was created to help eliminate the use of thimerosol in vaccines:

http://www.momsagainstmercury.org/

Here is a link to The Nasal-Spray Flu Vaccine which does NOT contain mercury. I think I may look into this as an alternative.

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/nasalspray.htm

 

I do believe that ALL flu shots still contain mercury.

 

Last year we got thimerosal free flu vaccines and that is what we will get this year too.

ETA: We had to get this from the health dept.

 

This may quickly become a thread full of misinformation.

No, all flu shot do not contain thimerosol but you may have to ask around to find someone to give you or your kids thimerosol-free flu shots.

Also, there is no clinical evidence that thimerosol in vaccines causes any health risk to you or your children. Individual testimonials, while convincing, are not scientific proof of cause and effect.

That being said, I'd rather have the thimerosol-free flu shot if I can get it but I won't panic if I don't since getting the flu shot is way more important the the trace amount of mercury that is used.

 

Which 8 states have banned the use of mercury? I brownsed your links but couldn't find that info.

Thanks!

 

As stated in my post, my intention is simply to provide information where you as parents can make informed decisions for yourself and your family. I am definitely NOT seeking a debate on whether to give your child the flu shot or not. Nor am I suggesting that the shot is a direct cause of any particular symptoms.

I intentionally refrained from making any personal opinions and just posted the links. I thought some might be interested in learning more about the flu vaccine and alternatives such as the Nasal Spray which I myself just learned about from my SIL who is a pharmacist.

 

I asked my pedi last year if their shots were thimerosal-free and they said yes. But you should ask, because the shots are out there with the preservative. I think we may not do them this year because they are at home with me and it's rare that DH and I get sick. In fact, I haven't had a flu shot in years! The year that I got one was the worst sick winter that I ever had. I believe that was around 1992.

 

QUOTE(Aconner @ Sep 27 2007, 03:40 PM) [snapback]426455[/snapback]
Which 8 states have banned the use of mercury? I brownsed your links but couldn't find that info.

Thanks!


Sorry, 6 (not 8 ) states have enacted the bans. California was 7 however, Gov. Schwarzenegger temporarily overturned the ban on Nov. 2 because they ran out of mercury-free flu vaccine. 20 or more states have laws that are pending that would limit or ban use of thimerosol.

Delaware: all ages
Missouri: all ages
New York: all ages
Iowa: all ages
Illinois: pregnant women and children under 3
Washington: pregnant women and children under 3
California: temporarily overturned

It's in the 2nd link: http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_3400.cfm

 

I would never get the flu mist. The mist sheds and can infect an individual that has not recieved it.

 

QUOTE(LmSjt915 @ Sep 28 2007, 03:11 PM) [snapback]427970[/snapback]
I would never get the flu mist. The mist sheds and can infect an individual that has not recieved it.



This is off topic a bit, but the flu mist is a live virus. My niece got it last year in school and got flu like symptoms from it and ended up missing a day or two of school because of it.

 

I used to work with the company that makes FluMist and I am very familiar with the clinical studies and postmarketing experience with this vaccine.

1 - It is only indicated for use in people ages 5-49
2 - It is not possible to actually get the flu from the live virus in FluMist. At least through 2005, which was the last year I was working on the product, there was not a single case of this happening. The virus is genetically modified (it's called attenuation - basically it is weakened) so it cannot reproduce in your lower respiratory tract, which is what gets you sick. It is possible to get a couple of days of flulike symptoms from any flu vaccine, but not the actual flu.

 

We just got them this week and they were thimerosol free. They cost a little more but I think it is worth it. This year is the first year that our insurance pays for it. They won't pay for the mist until they are over 5.

Cari

 

you know the only person I've ever known IRL to get the flu shots for her kids was my SIL. The only year she ever did it they all got the flu....twice...

I know it's anectdotal...but it is kind of funny...in a sick kind of way... okay, really bad pun.

Honestly, I can't remember the last time I've had the flu. Lots of people mistakenly believe that stomach bugs are the flu...or that stomach flus are the flu that shot is preventing... when it's the respiratory flu....the one where you feel like you've been hit by a mac truck, having respiratory symptoms, fever and general malaise for days on end....

 

QUOTE(summerfun @ Sep 28 2007, 07:19 PM) [snapback]427986[/snapback]
This is off topic a bit, but the flu mist is a live virus. My niece got it last year in school and got flu like symptoms from it and ended up missing a day or two of school because of it.


Yes, that is what I meant when I said it "sheds"...

 

QUOTE(LmSjt915 @ Sep 28 2007, 04:13 PM) [snapback]428089[/snapback]
Yes, that is what I meant when I said it "sheds"...



You said: QUOTE
The mist sheds and can infect an individual that has not recieved it.


I was quoting you to say that I agreed and was just adding to your point (because I would not get it for my kids or me) that my niece got flu like symptoms from getting it, I was not saying you were incorrect.