Thiomersal controversy

Thiomersal Controversy

The Thiomersal controversy refers to claims that vaccines containing the mercury-based preservative Thiomersal contribute to the development of autism and other brain development disorders. This controversy has been a significant topic in the public health domain and has implications for vaccine policy worldwide.

Background

Thiomersal is an organomercury compound used as a preservative in some vaccines due to its ability to prevent bacterial and fungal growth. It has been used in vaccines since the 1930s. However, in the late 1990s, concerns were raised about the amount of mercury in vaccines, leading to an examination of the safety of Thiomersal in vaccines.

Controversy

The controversy began in 1999 when the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Public Health Service (PHS) called for the removal of Thiomersal from vaccines as a precautionary measure. This was due to the realization that the cumulative amount of mercury in the routine immunization schedule exceeded some federal safety guidelines.

This announcement led to a public concern about a potential link between Thiomersal and autism, despite the lack of scientific evidence supporting such a link. The controversy was fueled by a now-retracted 1998 study by Andrew Wakefield that suggested a link between the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine and autism.

Scientific Consensus

The scientific consensus is that there is no credible evidence supporting the claim that Thiomersal-containing vaccines cause autism. Numerous studies have been conducted to investigate this claim, including studies by the Institute of Medicine (IOM), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These studies have consistently found no association between Thiomersal in vaccines and autism.

Impact on Vaccine Policy

The Thiomersal controversy has had a significant impact on vaccine policy worldwide. Many countries, including the United States, have reduced or eliminated the use of Thiomersal in vaccines as a precautionary measure. However, Thiomersal is still used in some multi-dose vaccines in developing countries due to its effectiveness as a preservative.

See Also

• Vaccine controversy
• MMR vaccine controversy
• Mercury poisoning