Many researchers believe that the use of thimerosal ( a form of ethylmercury, a known neurotoxin) as a preservative in vaccines is directly related to the meteoric rise in the rate of autism. Since 1991, the incidence of autism has increased 1,500 percent from one in every 2,500 children, to one in every 166. Interestingly, it was in 1991 that the CDC and the FDA recommended giving three additional vaccines (all of which contained thimerosal) to extremely young infants, often in the first month of life. After studying the controversy extensively, I must tell you that I do believe there is a relationship between the thimerosal in vaccines given to infants and very young children and the surge in cases of autism in our country.
There is a simple way to avoid exposing your child to harmful mercury: requesting that only single-dose vials of all immunizations be used for your child. Thimerosal is added as a presertative to multidose vaccines to prolong their shelf life. Single-dose vials do not use thimerosal as a preservative, although they still may contain trace amounts from the manufacturing process. According to FDA guidelines, these vaccines are still considered "thimerosal-free" and the minute amount of thimerosal the contain does not pose a risk to your childs brain. You will likely have to pay a little extra for the single-use, thimerosal-free vial of the vaccine, but I encourage you to spend the extra money and take the time for the extra doctors visits.
