Mercury has been eliminated from vaccines, or has it? Whether or not there is mercury, a known substance that can be harmful in certain dosages, in vaccines has been a concern for many parents. Here is what you need to know.
Okay, let us start with the simple answer. Yes, some vaccines, but not all, do contain mercury. Thimerosal is a preservative that is contained in vaccines. It’s purpose is to prevent bacteria from contaminating the vaccine. Thimerosal is made up of about 50 percent mercury.
Before you panic, there are some other facts that you need to know. Since 2001, routine vaccinations given to children younger than the age of six do not contain thimerosal. In addition to this, even those vaccines for older children and adults that normally do contain thimerosal are often available in thimerosal-free versions.
The other thing to keep in mind is that the mercury in thimerosal is not your typical mercury. It is a type that does not stick around in your body. This mercury metabolizes into an organic form. Therefore, you won’t reach anywhere near dangerous levels by being vaccinated. In fact, chances are pretty good that you are exposed to more mercury just by being outdoors or eating a tuna sandwich. There are actually three forms of mercury that we can be exposed to.
Like any parent, I am concerned for the safety and health of my children. However, I am a firm believer in vaccinating children. After conducting as much research as I can, I strongly feel that the risks in vaccinating far outweigh the risks of catching a deadly or disfiguring disease or suffering complications from one of those diseases.
I know that not everyone agrees with me. That is why I encourage every parent to conduct their own research using reputable professional sources only, ask as many questions as you can of health professionals and be an advocate for your child.