Mercury in flu vaccine is linked to autism

Countless flu injections released through the Government have a mercury-based preservative that is being eliminated in Europe and also the U . s . States among fears over autism and brain damage.

Four from seven flu vaccine brands approved for NHS use contain thiomersal, a mercury-that contains agent in the center of safety concerns over its impact on thinking processes, specifically in children.

Twelve million vulnerable people, including pensioners and kids with bronchial asthma, cancer, diabetes, heart and kidney problems, happen to be given flu injections this winter.

A spokesperson for that Department of Health stated that medical advisors towards the Government were satisfied there's no recourse to grown ups from thiomersal and just a ' hypothetical risk' to children.

'Following recommendations both U.S. and European producers are positively developing research programmes to get rid of, substitute or reduce thiomersal in vaccines,' he stated.

' They haven't suggested pulling out any vaccines presently being used. This really is purely a precaution.

'There isn't any convincing proof of injury to anybody, including infants and women that are pregnant, triggered by small quantities of thiomersal in flu vaccines, and the advantages of flu vaccine over-shadow any hypothetical risks resulting from thiomersal.'

But Jackie Fletcher from the campaign group Injections, which signifies families who claim their kids happen to be broken by vaccines, stated: 'The jury can always be on the hyperlinks between mercury in vaccines and brain damage, but surely the federal government should err along the side of caution? Thiomersal-free flu injections can be found and individuals, particularly children, ought to be offered these.'

Four flu jab brands contain thiomersal, which functions like a preservative to avoid contamination, the Department of Health stated yesterday.

They include Fluvirin, made by Liverpool- based Evans Pharmaceutical drugs, a subsidiary of Powderject Pharmaceutical drugs, possessed by Work donor Dr Paul Drayson.

Another brands that contains thiomersal are Fluarix by GlaxoSmithKline, Influvac by Solvay Healthcare and Agrippal by Wyeth.

Mercury-free flu jab brands on the NHS are Begrivac from Wyeth, Inflexal V written by Masta, and Inactivated influenza split virion British petroleum, made by Aventis Pasteur.

In 2001 the ecu Agency for that Evaluation of Medicinal Items advised doctors to make use of only vaccines without thiomersal for small children and infants, who can be more prone to suffer harm from contact with mercury.

This adopted a 1999 announcement through the U.S. Public Health Service and also the American Academy of Pediatric medicine (AAP) that thiomersal ought to be reduced or removed in vaccines like a precaution.

Research through the American Institute of drugs came to the conclusion that the outcomes of thiomersal in vaccines and neuro- developmental disorders --including autism - was 'biologically plausible'.

Inside a related U.S. study, scientists found a 'statistically significant' association between thiomersal in vaccines and kids with problems for example adhd and speech and learning delays.