Unsafe Mercury Levels in the Swine Flu Vaccine
Thimerosal in H1N1 Vaccinations Exceeds EPA Safety Recommendations
Nov 2, 2009
The (H1N1) swine flu virus vaccine comes in three different varieties. The intranasal dose is inhaled and contains no mercury. The multi-dose containers of swine flu vaccine meant for injection contain thimerosal, a mercury-derived preservative intended to prevent bacteria and fungi from growing in the vaccine between uses. The single-dose containers of swine flu vaccine intended for injection produced by Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics, Limited contain trace amounts of mercury as well, while other single-dose formulations contain no mercury.
Safe Dosage of Mercury
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that people avoid excessive exposure to mercury. According to the EPA, adverse effects can be avoided by keeping mercury exposure below .1 micrograms per kilogram, or 2.2 lbs, of a person's body weight per day.
CSL Limited Swine Flu Vaccine
The swine flu vaccine produced by CSL Limited is approved for adults age 18 and over. This vaccine is intended to be administered in a single injection of .5 milliliters (mL).
- This dose of .5 mL of swine flu vaccine contains 24.5 micrograms of mercury, as noted in the CSL Limited package insert. According to the EPA guidelines, in order for this amount of mercury to be safe, the individual getting the vaccine would need to weigh 539 pounds.
Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics Limited's H1N1 Vaccine
Novartis Vaccines produces a swine flu vaccine that is approved for injection into children ages four and up. Children ages four years through nine years are given two .5 mL doses of the vaccine, approximately one month apart. Individuals ages 10 and up receive a single .5 mL dose of the vaccine.
The amount of mercury in a single .5 mL dose differs, depending on the type of container.
- A single dose container contains up to one microgram of mercury per dose, which is a safe dose for anyone weighing at least 22 lbs.
- A single .5 mL dose that comes from a multi-dose container contains 25 micrograms of mercury, which is a safe dose for anyone weighing at least 550 pounds.
H1N1 Vaccine Made By Sanofi Pasteur, Inc.
The H1N1 vaccine made by Sanofi Pasteur, Inc. is approved for everyone ages six months and up. Infants of six months up to 35 months receive two injections of .25 mL, approximately one month apart. Children of 36 months through nine years receive two injections of .5 mL, also approximately one month apart. Anyone receiving the swine flu shot that is over nine years of age receives a single .5 mL injection.
- Single dose containers of the Sanofi Pasteur vaccine contain no mercury, but multi-dose containers contain 25 micrograms per .5 mL dose.
- A six month old infant's .25 mL dose would then contain 12.5 micrograms of mercury, which is a safe dose for someone weighing 275 pounds.
Ethyl Mercury vs. Methyl Mercury
The EPA's guidelines are based on methyl mercury, while thimerosal breaks down into ethyl mercury. There are a significant lack of comprehensive scientific studies based on ethyl mercury, and the potential effects on infants, children, or pregnant women. This lack leads the EPA and FDA to base mercury guidelines on methyl mercury metabolism and toxicity.
References:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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