If they're still using vaxes with thimerisol, they're probably at or near the end of their shelf life. Except for the flu vaccine, thimerisol was supposed to have been phased out several years ago, I think. Ask to see the vax insert on a visit prior to any vaxes so you have time to look over the ingredients and potential side effects, and weigh the benefits/dangers of getting that particular vaccination.
You have absolute control over which vaxes to get (or not get); that's not a doctor's decision. If one offers you a vax with thimerisol, refuse it. The doctor's office should be keeping up-to-date stores of vaccines anyway, not outdated ones.
They actually have not been phased out. There was a recommendation made in 1999, but not a requirement. IN fact, the AAP is against banning thimerosol vaxes because they say it will cause a vax shortage. Plus, an independent lab has tested a lot of supposed reduced thimerosol vaxes (hardly any are actually completely mercury free) and found they often had as much thimerosol as regular vaxes.
To the OP: Yes, you can request it. They may have to specifically order it.
It’s a common misconception that they are being totally phased out and that they are FREE of mercury. There can, and still are traces. Basically it’s a appeasement tactic to make parents feel better about injecting poisons into children. :(
It's mostly a state issue. There are some states that have passed laws to phase out mercury in the childhood vaccines only. State Legislation and Contact Information... http://www.nomercury.org/state_legislation.htm
DD is largely unvaxed, but I got the inserts from all the scheduled vaxes just out of curiosity, and the ones in our FP's office are the newer vaccines without (most of) the thimerisol. I guess I just figured most other offices had followed the recommendation; our FP made it sound like a "duh, of course we did" kind of thing.
You might also want to look into the other ingredients. Thimerosol is not the only nasty thing in them. Try http://www.mothering.com/discussions/ 's vax forum for suggestions of resources.
Comments 7
You have absolute control over which vaxes to get (or not get); that's not a doctor's decision. If one offers you a vax with thimerisol, refuse it. The doctor's office should be keeping up-to-date stores of vaccines anyway, not outdated ones.
Reply
To the OP: Yes, you can request it. They may have to specifically order it.
Reply
It’s a common misconception that they are being totally phased out and that they are FREE of mercury. There can, and still are traces. Basically it’s a appeasement tactic to make parents feel better about injecting poisons into children. :(
It's mostly a state issue. There are some states that have passed laws to phase out mercury in the childhood vaccines only.
State Legislation and Contact Information...
http://www.nomercury.org/state_legislation.htm
Reply
DD is largely unvaxed, but I got the inserts from all the scheduled vaxes just out of curiosity, and the ones in our FP's office are the newer vaccines without (most of) the thimerisol. I guess I just figured most other offices had followed the recommendation; our FP made it sound like a "duh, of course we did" kind of thing.
Reply
Reply
Reply
Leave a comment