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Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety |
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Thiomersal and vaccines
In 1999, concerns were raised in the United States of America about exposure to mercury in vaccines. This was based on the realization that the cumulative amount of mercury in the infant immunization schedule potentially exceeded the recommended threshold set by one of the United States government agencies for methyl mercury. However thiomersal, the preservative in some vaccines, contains ethyl mercury and not methyl mercury. The Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (GACVS) first assessed this issue in a special meeting in August 2000 and continues to review the safety aspect of thiomersal-containing vaccines as new evidence emerges. In the latest review by the committee (at its meeting of 6-7 June 2006) the conclusion previously reached was reaffirmed that there is no evidence of toxicity in infants, children or adults exposed to thiomersal in vaccines.
Documents
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Statement from the GACVS (July 2006)
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Questions and answers (July 2006)
Links and references
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Other relevant links and references and current issues
COMMITTEE REPORTS
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Appears in WER 15 July 2005
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Appears in WER 7 January 2005
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Appears in WER 8 August 2003
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Appears in WER 22 November 2002
Page last updated : 14 July 2006
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