Quick Take
A social media post claims that children are becoming autistic due to vaccinations. The speaker claims that it is due to the presence of mercury and neurotoxins, such as aluminum and formaldehyde. We fact-checked and found this claim to be False.
The Claim
An Instagram post states, “It’s time to talk about the truth: the clear link between autism and mercury in childhood va((ines.
Despite this well-researched connection, children are still becoming autistic from these vac(inations. The pharmaceutic@l companies control the media, so you won’t read about it in the newspaper.
So why are children still getting autistic?
There are two more neurotoxins in the va(cines – aluminum and formaldehyde. Every parent should take a good look at what’s in those vaccines!””
Fact Check
Do vaccines contain mercury and other neurotoxins?
Yes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that when vaccine manufacturers create a vaccine, they frequently include ingredients that help strengthen the immune system’s response to the vaccine, improving the vaccine’s efficacy. These substances are referred to as adjuvants. The vaccine’s efficacy is improved by these additions.
it’s important to understand the context and safety of these components:
- Mercury (Thimerosal): Thimerosal, a preservative containing ethylmercury, used to be present in some vaccines. However, it was primarily used in multi-dose vials to prevent bacterial contamination. Ethylmercury is different from methylmercury, the form found in certain types of fish, and is considered less harmful. Thimerosal has been removed from most childhood vaccines as a precautionary measure, but it’s important to note that extensive studies have shown no association between thimerosal in vaccines and neurological disorders.
We asked Dr Sumit Aggarwal who is a Scientist (D) and Program officer, Division of Epidemiology & Communicable Diseases at the Indian Council of Medical Research, Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi, to share his views on the claim. To this, he replied, “Thimerosal does not remain in the human body and therefore does not accumulate to harmful levels. Once thimerosal enters the body, it breaks down into ethylmercury and thiosalicylate, which are quickly eliminated. While high levels of ethylmercury can be toxic, vaccines are formulated with appropriate dosages to ensure they do not have any hazardous effects on the human body.”
- Aluminum: Aluminum salts, like aluminum hydroxide and aluminum phosphate, are used in some vaccines to enhance the body’s immune response to the vaccine. The aluminum in vaccines is a different form from the toxic aluminum compounds people might be exposed to in the environment. The small amount of aluminum in vaccines is considered safe, and numerous scientific studies support its safety.
- Formaldehyde: Formaldehyde is used to inactivate viruses and detoxify bacterial toxins in some vaccines. It’s important to note that the amount of formaldehyde in vaccines is very low and quickly metabolized by the body. The levels used in vaccines are well below the safety limits established by regulatory agencies.
Please be aware that in all circumstances, vaccines containing adjuvants are tested for safety and efficacy in clinical trials before they are licensed for use and, as a result, approved by licensed governmental bodies, such as the CDC and FDA in the United States.
Are vaccinations causing autism in children?
No. There is no scientific evidence to prove that vaccination is a causative factor of autism in children. Autism is a complex developmental disorder that is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. There is no single cause of autism, and vaccines are not one of them.
This isn’t the first time, we have found untrustworthy claims about vaccines causing autism. THIP MEDIA has previously debunked vaccines cause autism.
The idea that vaccines cause autism was first proposed in a fraudulent study published in 1998. The study claimed to have found a link between the MMR vaccine and autism, but later found to be flawed.
Since then, numerous studies have been conducted to investigate the link between vaccines and autism. None of these studies have found any evidence to support the claim that vaccines cause autism. In fact, a 2014 study found that there is no link between any vaccine and autism.
The Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety of the World Health Organization has also disregarded the evidence linking aluminium in vaccines to autism.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) both state that there is no evidence that vaccines cause autism.
Overall, vaccines are an important tool in protecting the health and well-being of children and the broader community.
Vaccines are rigorously tested for safety and undergo extensive studies before they are approved for use. The benefits of vaccines in preventing serious diseases and their complications far outweigh any potential risks.
THIP Media has previously debunked the claim that stated that pneumococcal vaccines cause autism.
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