Thimerosal in Vaccines: Some Reassuring Data

The prevalence of autism in children did not decrease after thimerosal was removed from most vaccines.

Controversy persists about whether exposure to the preservative thimerosal (which contains ethylmercury) in childhood vaccines is responsible for the increased prevalence of autism, even after a 2004 review of 12 studies by the Institute of Medicine concluded that the evidence is weak for a link between thimerosal-containing vaccines and autism. The increasing concern about ethylmercury led to the removal of thimerosal from most vaccines in 1999 to 2001 (with the exception of some influenza vaccines). To examine whether removal of thimerosal led to a decrease in reported autism, researchers evaluated the number of new cases of autism by age reported to the registry of the California Department of Developmental Services from January 1995 thr…

Reviewing Author

Martin T. Stein, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardPearson Neuroscience Advisory Board

Speaker’s bureauAmerican Academy of Pediatrics

RoyaltiesElsevier, Inc.

Editorial boardsJournal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics

Martin T. Stein, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardPearson Neuroscience Advisory Board

Speaker’s bureauAmerican Academy of Pediatrics

RoyaltiesElsevier, Inc.

Editorial boardsJournal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics