Dear Members and Friends -

Go to your local library or hastings and check out the March/April issue of Mothering magazine. They have a great spread summarizing the Fall 2000 NVIC conference and have a fabulous article on the dangers of thimerosal (mercury) in vaccines. The article below is a quick sound bite on this issue.

Ingri

********************************************************************
The following is from the TORCH, Jan. 2001, Box 795354, Dallas, TX 75379

A letter from Rep. Dan Burton (R-In) chairman of the House Committee on Government Reform, to HHS Sec. Donna Shalala on Oct. 25 related the evidence about health dangers from vaccines containing thimerosol (mercury).

Babies are injected with the vaccines specified on the Universal Immunization Schedule, which are typically delivered in four to six shots during one doctor's visit, and may receive 40 times the amount of mercury that is considered safe under Environmental Protection guidlines. The FDA's own website states "lead, cadmium, and mercury are examples of elements that are toxic when present at relatively low levels."

Testimony was given about the relationship between symptoms of mercury poisoning and the skyrocketing rate of autism, now occurring in one in 500 children nationwide. Requests to the FDA to recall all thimerosol-containing vaccines by Chairman Burton and by parents of vaccine-injured children have so far been ignored. This despite the fact that the FDA admits that the vaccines are available in a thimerosal-free version. The FDA only suggests a "phase out" over time, thus allowing the pharmaceuticals to unload their defective merchandise on unsuspecting children. For years to come these toxic vaccines will continue to be injected in babies in Public Health clinics, doctor's offices, and managed care facilities.