Does anyone know the purpose of adding thimerosal to vaccines, and if there is another additive that can replace this?
Also...are there other substances or additives in vaccines that have been linked/associated with autism, or is thimerosal the only one?
I'm so glad we are talking about this, because I definitely haven't done my research. I just knew that autism diagnoses are on the rise, and so are many other environmental influences, like pollution and TV (wasn't there, at one time, a link between autism and TV-watching?). I assumed that since autism rates were on the rise, researchers were trying to find the cause, and looked at other factors that were on the rise: hence the possible links to pollution, TV and vaccinations.
I'm personally all for vaccines; there is a reason that many previously common diseases are not common anymore (polio, mumps, etc). Vaccines do work, and like any substance that is put into our body, we are usually advised as to the possible side effects. So, vaccines have possible side effects...and maybe worse. Why isn't this discussed more openly? I feel that it is discussed in a few ways, none that are helpful for me: either a 30-second blurb on the 7pm news (in a scary, alarmist way that I tend to disregard), or you have to become an honorary doctor and review publications on the CDC website. Then, there are outspoken advocates for or against this issue, who have been personally effected, and I'm not sure which "side" to believe. I agree with you, Susan, that more information to the general public (and some security for pediatricians to feel comfortable in talking about this issue) is the key to lessening the fear.
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Does anyone know the purpose of adding thimerosal to vaccines, and if there is another additive that can replace this?
Also...are there other substances or additives in vaccines that have been linked/associated with autism, or is thimerosal the only one?
I'm so glad we are talking about this, because I definitely haven't done my research. I just knew that autism diagnoses are on the rise, and so are many other environmental influences, like pollution and TV (wasn't there, at one time, a link between autism and TV-watching?). I assumed that since autism rates were on the rise, researchers were trying to find the cause, and looked at other factors that were on the rise: hence the possible links to pollution, TV and vaccinations.
I'm personally all for vaccines; there is a reason that many previously common diseases are not common anymore (polio, mumps, etc). Vaccines do work, and like any substance that is put into our body, we are usually advised as to the possible side effects. So, vaccines have possible side effects...and maybe worse. Why isn't this discussed more openly? I feel that it is discussed in a few ways, none that are helpful for me: either a 30-second blurb on the 7pm news (in a scary, alarmist way that I tend to disregard), or you have to become an honorary doctor and review publications on the CDC website. Then, there are outspoken advocates for or against this issue, who have been personally effected, and I'm not sure which "side" to believe. I agree with you, Susan, that more information to the general public (and some security for pediatricians to feel comfortable in talking about this issue) is the key to lessening the fear.
March 1, 2008 - 2:17pmThis Comment
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