U.S. Won't Alert Parents, Doctors on Mercury in Flu Shots for Kids

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-vaccine2apr02,1,5946772,print.story?coll=la-home-headlines

Hundreds of thousands of infants and toddlers who get flu shots starting this fall could be exposed to a mercury-laced preservative that has been all but eliminated from other pediatric vaccines because of health concerns.

Saying there is no proof of harm from exposure to the preservative thimerosal, officials with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have confirmed that they won't advise parents and doctors to choose a mercury-free version of the flu vaccine.

This year, flu shots are being added to the government's "recommend" list of vaccines that should be given to all young children. The CDC's decision on thimerosal, made despite pleas from parent activist groups and some experts, appears to be at odds with recent federal warnings about exposure to mercury, a potent neurotoxin, and with the government's successful effort to have it removed from other childhood vaccines.

The mercury-free flu vaccine will be more expensive — by about $4 per shot — and is somewhat harder to make in large quantities than the alternative. If the CDC were to warn parents, demand for thimerosal-free shots would rise, possibly squeezing supplies. Some experts said a shortage could lead to some children not being immunized against a known risk, flu, in order to avoid the theoretical risk of thimerosal.

[Nlighten1]

1. Got to love it...

profit before people always.

[ConcernedCanuk]

2. mercury-free flu vaccine will be more expensive — by about $4 per shot

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Hmm - methinks most people would cough up the extra 4 bucks to ensure their children's health?. :shrug:

People SHOULD BE AWARE.

Like the mad cow thing, ?

Testing would raise the price about 12 - 15 CENTS a pound - not a big deal either I'd say?

What's the matter with our governments anyway! ?! ?

(sigh)

[Corgigal]

3. OH, I SEE

said the blind man. Us "regular" families won't be aware that thimerosal is still in the flu shot because we heard that it's been removed from all children's shots. You see the only way we can be sure that thimerosal didn't harm the kids is by going a few years without any shots with the additive, thimerosal, given to kids.
We could see if autism rates started to fall.
Read the Mothers Jones article, Toxic Tipping Point. Mar/Apr 2004.

Seems, I don't know, possible that the Pharms who make the children's injections might want a fall back. Of course this being America and all that, so this certainly can't be true?

[SheilaT]

4. At least as important

is the unquestioned notion that everyone, including young children, need flu shots. They don't.

[Ilsa]

5. Exactly.

We'll be skipping it this year again.
Yep, $$$ before people.
Every once in a awhile I just say Fuck the CDC.

[Voice_of_Europe]

6. Flu Vaccination is for people with immune deficiency

A flu is just a flu, so what??
Personally I like having a flu now and then once a year (day off).

A flu is only dangerous to people with a weaker immune system like cancer patients and elderly people who might die of the slightest infection.

Or there might be a STRONGER strain of the flue virus all few years which would make a vaccination recommendable.

Children and toddlers NEED to eat dirt and get infections now and then.
The immune system is a LEARNING SYSTEM and needs training.
The saying "if it doesn't kill you it makes you stronger" makes totally sense here.


All this flu vaccination business is BUSINESS.
More shots sold.
Less people away from work.
At the cost of your health.

[HuckleB]

8. Umm.

The very young ones are among those who die of the flu every year. That's why it's now recommended for them.

Further, getting the flu shot would be the responsible thing to do for anyone who spends time around immune deficient family and friends, and that includes young children and the elderly.

[treepig]

9. what's that about history repeating itself?

one word: 1918

(ok, it's a number, but check it out).

[ChompySnack]

7. Just get the flu!

My god, does everyone really need to medicate themselves against everything in this world? I got the flu when I was young, it's part of life.

Childhood vaccines are important and needed but I think these flu shots are just to pump up drug company profits. I have heard so many people who have either gotten the flu from the shot or in spite of it that it seems useless.

[masmdu]

10. CDC Unreleased Report sites role of Mercury in Autism...Report leaked

Google CDC secret report mercury and find several links to a CDC report that they decided not to release.

The study confirms increase in autism linked to thimerisol (mercury) in vaccinations.
http://nyvic.org/nyvic/news/us/mercury.htm

http://www.whale.to/v/cdc3.html

We ALWAYS insist on seeing the manufactures insert for each vaccine we get for our infant son. Make sure they are themerisol free....Why take the chance.