Bundesgesundheitsblatt, Gesundheitsforschung, Gesundheitsschutz
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Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz · Dec 2004
Review[Thiomersal and immunisations].
Thiomersal was used in the 1930s for the first time for the preservation of vaccines to prevent bacterial and fungal contamination. Thiomersal is an organic compound containing 49% mercury (Hg) by weight. It is generally well known that mercury and its compounds, including thiomersal, ethylmercury, and methylmercury, act as nephro- and neurotoxicants, however, at much higher doses than used in vaccines. ⋯ Today a child in Germany can be immunised in accordance with the official recommendations (STIKO) almost without the administration of thiomerosal (residual amounts). Results of new pharmacokinetic and epidemiological studies are discussed. The evidence available to date does not support the hypothesis of a potential relationship between neurodevelopmental disorders and thiomersal-containing vaccines.