Mercury level data in flu/MMR/Hep B vax?

[natural4mybabies]

Hi All-

Last fall I had my 3 yr old in the ped's office and was asked by one of the dr's if she was going to be getting the flu shot. I told her "not unless you offer the thimerosal free version". She said they did not have that version but instead of directing me to where I may find it elsewhere in the city, she promptly informed me with "just so you know the amount of mercury in the shot is less than is what is in a can of tuna". I didn't argue with her but I kept thinking to myself, "well if that is true then why did the entire state of Missouri (ped's office is in KS) ban the use of flu shots for pregnant women and children under the age of three??"

So my question is, does anyone know where I can find some data on exactly how much mercury is in each of these shots and what the amount equates to? I know I don't need to get into a statistical war with docs or nurses but if really pressed, I would like to have my facts straight especially with our newest addition due in a couple of months...

Oh, and this is completely off topic...but when I go into my user CP to change my signature, it won't allow me to choose more than one "smiley" icon? Any thoughts?

[runes]

Here is the updated table of thimerosal in all US licensed vaccines.

The doctor needs to be educated, and I'm sorry but someone that talks to me like that is going to be fired as my child's health care provider. Her response was lame, and was not meant to educate, but to manipulate. Besides, there are those of us that totally avoid tuna exactly for the reason she cited.

Which doesn't even go on about the difference between ingesting and injecting substances.

As or your siggy question, you can go over to "Questions and Suggestions" and they might be able to help you.

Good luck with your new addition!!

[Marnica]

Well since the kind of mercury in Tuna is not the same kind as the kind in vaccines this is irrelevant. It's comparing apples and oranges. You would think your doctor would know something like this.

Methylmercury is in Tuna and ethylmercury is in vaccines.

The best way to find out the amount of mercury in each flu shot is to read the package insert.http://vaers.hhs.gov/pdf/PackageInserts.pdf

also keep in mind the "thimersol free" versions are not actually free from it. They have "trace amounts" Thimersol is used in the manufactering process and then "taken out" although we are supposed to take the manufacterers word on this. There is no indepoendent body testing the vaccines to see if this is true and if the amounts left behind are actually as low as they claim.

[spero]

There is NO mercury in the MMR vax, and there never has been. Thimerosal is a preservative and the MMR vaccine is live.

As for Hep B vaccines - Comvax, Engerix-B, Recombivax HB, and Twinrix contain no thimerosal.

If you want a non-thimerosal flu vaccine for your kid, FluMist is live and contains no mercury.

[natural4mybabies]

thanks!

Originally Posted by kidspiration

Here is the updated table of thimerosal in all US licensed vaccines.

The doctor needs to be educated, and I'm sorry but someone that talks to me like that is going to be fired as my child's health care provider. Her response was lame, and was not meant to educate, but to manipulate.

That is a great link, thank you.

I agree with you, it was a very lame an uneducated response. She was not dd's primary ped but the only ped I could get in to see that day on short notice. Needless to say, we will not be seeing her again!

oh, and just for the record, dd did not get a flu shot at all this season

Originally Posted by Marnica

Well since the kind of mercury in Tuna is not the same kind as the kind in vaccines this is irrelevant. It's comparing apples and oranges. You would think your doctor would know something like this.

Methylmercury is in Tuna and ethylmercury is in vaccines.

Great points....

Originally Posted by spero

There is NO mercury in the MMR vax, and there never has been. Thimerosal is a preservative and the MMR vaccine is live.

As for Hep B vaccines - Comvax, Engerix-B, Recombivax HB, and Twinrix contain no thimerosal.

I could have sworn I read somewhere that the MMR contained thimerosal...is it a widespread misconception?

Also, if the docs office does not offer one of the thimerosal free vaxes, can I have them order it if we decide at some point to vaccinate?

[spero]

Originally Posted by natural4mybabies

is it a widespread misconception?

Yes, b/c it's the vaccine most associated with autism. And thimerosal is also associated with autism.

Also, if the docs office does not offer one of the thimerosal free vaxes, can I have them order it if we decide at some point to vaccinate?

Well, you can ask them to but most docs aren't all that accomaodating, since most vaccines have to be ordered in batch.