Pavley bill would ban use of mercury in vaccines

By Lori Porter porter@theacorn.com

State Assemblywoman Fran Pavley (D-Woodland Hills) recently introduced legislation, Assembly Bill 2943, that would ban the use of Thimerosal, a preservative used in vaccines that contains 50 percent ethyl mercury. The ban would begin Jan. 1, 2006.

The bill was prompted by several studies, particularly one by Dr. David Geier published in the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons, which recognized an increase in neurodevelopment disorders following the use of inoculations containing Thimerosal. It acts as a preservative to extend the useful life of vaccines.

Calling AB-2943 a "no-brainer bill to prevent no-brainer children," Pavley acknowledges that the jury is still out on the connection between neurodevelopment and Thimerosal since research is ongoing. But she added, "It is a precautionary measure to reduce the amount of mercury that’s affected the health of many humans."

Experts believe that organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics’ increased recommendations for vaccinations within the last 10 to 15 years may be why the medical profession is seeing more cases of autism and other neurodevelopment disorders.

Pregnant women, women of childbearing age and young children need to be especially careful about exposure to mercury. Research has shown that developing fetuses may be more susceptible to mercury than previously thought.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced recently that newborns have nearly twice the level of mercury in their blood as their mothers.

"Although we don’t know what the accumulation affect is of the toxins in children, it can’t be good," said Pavley.

In the last few years, at the request of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the U.S. Public Health Service, vaccine manufacturers began removing Thimerosal from the vaccines that are given to children from birth to age 4.

As a result, Thimerosal is no longer in state-required childhood vaccines but is in the optional flu vaccines that are annually given to children and adults. This year, the Center for Disease Control is recommending that children ages 6 months to 2 years receive the flu vaccine, even though the majority of the doses available contain Thimerosal.

As a precautionary measure, the California Department of Health Services has ordered sufficient doses of Thimerosal-free flu vaccines to be administered to children 3 years and under who are covered by state-funded healthcare. However, there’s no guarantee that all these children will receive Thimerosal-free vaccinations.

AB-2943 would ban the future use of Thimerosal in all vaccinations but would include a waiver should a public emergency occur such as an flu epidemic or a bio-terrorism event.

The bill has passed the full Assembly and is expected to appear on the state Senate floor this month. There’s little if any opposition, Pavley said, adding that she’s hopeful that Gov. Schwarzenegger will sign it.