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Mercury-free Influenza Vaccines Now Available

26 May 2003

Anai Rhoads
Veriana Media

Good news for parents who seek to protect their children from Thimerosal in influenza vaccines. Thimerosal has been added to vaccines for well over sixty years now, but due to its mercury content many scientists believe its time to offer either alternatives or Thimerosal-free vaccines to those who wish to avoid it. Although it was believed that Thimerosal benefited vaccines by serving as a preventative against microbial contamination, the mercury levels were undesirable for all ages.

Parents now have the choice to ask for a Thimerosal-free version of the flu vaccine for the next scheduled shots. Since most doctors and hospitals pre-order the vaccines in the spring to prepare for the autumn vaccinations, parents must request the vaccine now.

The Vaccine Advisory Committee of the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) began suggesting that parents vaccinate children six to twenty-three months old for the onset of the 2002 and 2003 influenza season. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the new preservative-free flu vaccines, helping Evans Vaccines widen their ability to promote for children under the age of three. And yet another manufacture, Aventis Pasteur, made their debut in November 2002 with the FDA approved Fluzone. Fluzone can be used in children six months onward.

The following is a list of situations where the flu vaccine is almost always strongly recommended:

• Those with lung disease
• Diabetes
• Those who are pregnant or are trying
• Men and women over sixty-five years of age
• Anyone over age six months with a chronic illness/disease
• Kidney problems
• Asthma
• Heart conditions

Typical vaccinations begin in October and sometimes into November. Ask your doctor to pre-order the mercury-free vaccines now.

© Copyright 2003 Anai Rhoads. This written work is protected by international copyright laws. If you are interested in reprinting this article and obtaining proper licenses, please contact the author at anairhoads@anairhoads.org