Some parents of autistic kids believe that a preservative used in vaccines is in part to blame for their child’s autism. But Mark Brush reports a new study concludes there is no link between the preservative and autism:
Transcript
Some parents of autistic kids believe that a preservative used in
vaccines is in part to blame for their child’s autism. Mark Brush
reports a new study concludes there is no link between the preservative
and autism:
Pregnant women who are Rh-negative receive a shot to prevent disease in
their developing fetuses. Prior to 2003, these shots contained
thimerosal – a preservative made with mercury.
Dr. Judith Miles conducted a study that found no connection between
thimerosal exposure and autism. The study was published in the
American Journal of Medical Genetics. Dr. Miles says her research is
an important clarification for parents of autistic kids:
“I think it’s still important for parents to know, particularly mothers
who are Rh-negative, not to be concerned that this was something that
they somehow had a part in that caused the autism.”
Thimerosal has been removed from most childhood vaccines in the U.S.
However, it’s still used in the flu vaccine – and it’s widely used to
preserve immunization shots for kids in the developing world.
For the Environment Report, I’m Mark Brush.