Vaccine review to CDC Committee Based on Non-Existent Study, Scientist Claims
A report examining the safety of thimerosal in vaccines, scheduled to be presented on Thursday to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) advisory committee, relies on a scientific study that the listed author says does not exist. the findings raise serious questions about the basis of the review and the motivations of its presenter.
The report, titled “Thimerosal as a Vaccine Preservative,” was published Tuesday on the CDC website and is slated to be presented by Lyn Redwood, a former leader of the Children’s Health Defense, a group known for its opposition to vaccines.
The review specifically references a 2008 study published in the journal Neurotoxicology, titled “Low-level neonatal thimerosal exposure: Long-term consequences in the brain,” and purportedly co-authored by UC davis Professor Emeritus Robert Berman. However, Berman has stated unequivocally that the cited study is not his work.
“It’s not making reference to a study I published or carried out,” Berman said. He clarified that he did co-author a study with a similar name, but it was published in the journal Toxicological Sciences and reached different conclusions.
The discrepancy is notable. According to Berman, the research he contributed to did not investigate the effects of thimerosal on microglia, a type of immune cell in the brain. “We did not examine the effects of thimerosal in microglia… I do not endorse this misrepresentation of the research,” he stated.
This revelation casts a shadow over the upcoming presentation to the CDC committee and highlights the potential for misinformation to influence public health discussions. the CDC has not yet commented on the matter, but the incident is likely to fuel further debate surrounding vaccine safety and the role of advocacy groups in shaping scientific discourse.
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the incident underscores the critical importance of rigorous fact-checking and clarity in scientific reviews, notably those presented to influential bodies like the CDC. The reliance on unsubstantiated research raises concerns about the integrity of the review process and the potential for biased information to impact public health policy.
Unpacking the Persistent Concerns Around Thimerosal
The controversy surrounding thimerosal, a mercury-containing preservative used in some vaccines, goes back decades. This case, with the misrepresented research, highlights the ongoing debate about vaccine safety and the scrutiny of scientific findings [[1]]. Why does this specific ingredient continue to spark such intense discussion, and what is its actual role within the context of vaccine advancement and safety?
For much of modern medicine, thimerosal was a common addition to multi-dose vaccine vials 1. This was to prevent bacteria and other harmful microbes from growing in the vaccine after the vial had been opened for use [[3]]. This practice helped maintain the sterility of vaccines, ensuring they remained safe and effective over time. The primary reason for its usage was to safeguard against contamination, crucial in clinical settings where multiple doses were drawn from the same vial.
Is thimerosal still used in vaccines today? Many vaccines no longer contain thimerosal now. This shift was made, in part, to address public concerns, even though scientific evidence consistently refuted a link between thimerosal in vaccines and neurodevelopmental disorders like autism [[3]]. Today, flu vaccines are available in both thimerosal-containing and thimerosal-free formulations. However, some multi-dose vials, particularly those used in certain influenza vaccines, might still contain trace amounts.
What are the potential risks? The major concern with thimerosal stemmed from its mercury content,specifically ethylmercury. while ethylmercury is processed and eliminated from the body more efficiently than methylmercury (the type found in some fish), some people still believed it could pose a risk. The main side effects from thimerosal in vaccines are minor reactions like redness or swelling at the injection site [[3]].
Here’s a quick breakdown of common questions:
- What is thimerosal? A mercury-based preservative used to prevent bacterial growth in multi-dose vaccine vials.
- Why was thimerosal used? To maintain the sterility of vaccines and prevent the spread of infection.
- Is thimerosal safe? Rigorous scientific studies have found no evidence linking thimerosal to autism or other neurodevelopmental disorders.
- Are thimerosal-containing vaccines still used? While many vaccines no longer contain thimerosal, it can still be found in multi-dose formulations of some influenza vaccines.
Advocacy groups, like Children’s Health Defense, have actively voiced strong opposition to vaccines containing thimerosal. They have pointed to these ingredients as a potential cause for adverse health effects. These groups’ claims, in turn, have often fueled public anxiety, particularly when these claims reference scientific studies-accurate or otherwise.
The presentation of potentially fraudulent data to advisory committees emphasizes the critical need for more clarity, rigorous data validation, and public discussion across science [[2]]. Advocacy groups have a role in the process to be sure, yet such a role should be balanced with established scientific methods. The CDC and scientists must always consider the science over any single group’s claims.
Thimerosal’s role in vaccines was and, in some cases, remains primarily that of a preservative.The scientific consensus, based on multiple studies, is that thimerosal in vaccines is safe and does not cause autism.
Misinformation and its spread are dangerous, as they can lead to vaccine hesitancy and public health risks. It’s more critically important than ever to rely on credible sources and fact-check any information before sharing it.
1 Vaccines that originally contained thimerosal include some influenza vaccines, and also those for diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP), and Haemophilus influenzae type b (hib).
