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ANN ARBOR, MI - For parents who may have seen recent media reports
about possible risks to their children from vaccines or vaccine preservatives,
the University
of Michigan Health System offers this page of accurate information
and links.
In response to media reports, the U-M Health System would like to
provide concerned parents with the following information:
- No harmful effects have been reported from thimerosal at doses used
in vaccines, except for minor reactions like redness and swelling at
the injection site. Source: Center for Disease Control and American
Academy of Pediatrics.
- However, in July 1999, the Public Health Service agencies, the American
Academy of Pediatrics and vaccine manufacturers agreed that thimerosal
should be reduced or eliminated in vaccines as a precautionary measure.
- Since 2001, all routinely recommended vaccines manufactured for administration
to infants in the U.S. are either thimerosal-free or contain only extremely
small amounts of thimerosal. Many routinely recommended childhood vaccines
never contained thimerosal: measles/mumps/rubella (MMR), polio (IPV),
varicella/chicken pox. Some of the Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
and diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis (DTaP) vaccines never used thimerosal
as a preservative.Source: American Academy of Pediatrics.
- Some forms of the influenza vaccine contain trace amounts of thimerosal
as a preservative. The U-M Health System uses both types of vaccines;
the thimerosal-free flu vaccine in stock and available to any patient
who requests it, including children who are eligible for the vaccine
provided by the government under the Vaccines for Children program.
- Our nurses and physicians who deliver vaccines to children are trained
to handle patients' and parents' questions and concerns, and can provide
thimerosal-free forms of vaccines on request when such forms are available.
A reminder of the availability of both forms of the flu vaccine, for
example, was recently sent to all U-M pediatricians.
- We do not have a blanket policy 'for' or 'against' proactively offering
information about the thimerosal controversy or the thimerosal content
of specific vaccines to patients or parents, and indeed individual health
care providers on our staff may do so.
- Our institutional philosophy on this issue echoes that of the CDC,
FDA and American Academy of Pediatrics: that there is no evidence of
a connection between thimerosal and autism, that vaccines that still
contain trace amounts of thimerosal are safe, and that vaccination is
a crucial public health measure to protect the lives of children. But
we are aware of the controversy, and want to make sure that parents
who want information can get it, and those who want to avoid thimerosal
have the opportunity to do so.
We hope that parents of our young patients, and parents everywhere, will
discuss any concerns they may have with their child’s health care
provider. UMHS physicians and other health professionals are here to help
you make the best decisions about your child’s health! For information
on finding a UMHS health provider for your child, please consult our Physician
Referral Service.
As with any health issue involving your children, we strongly suggest
that you rely on sources of information that are based on unbiased research
and scientific study. The links below
will take you to some of web sites that we feel are most accurate, reliable
and trustworthy on the topic of vaccine safety. If you find information
on these sites or elsewhere that you have questions about, please talk
with your child’s health care provider!
Above all, we urge parents to remember that vaccination against many
diseases is the best way to ensure a child’s long-term health. Many
of us alive today don’t remember the days when thousands of children
died or suffered serious long-term health effects from infectious diseases
like measles, polio and whooping cough.
To keep those days from coming back, we need to protect all children
against those diseases with vaccines. And, we need to encourage our government
to keep constant watch over the vaccine supply to make sure it is as safe
and effective as possible. We hope the following information will help
you understand the importance – and the safety – of vaccines
for your child.
Web sites and hotlines where you can learn
more about vaccines and vaccine safety:
General Vaccine Information Sites and Hotlines:
Immunization information from the American
Academy of Pediatrics, the national organization of pediatricians
(via Medem)
http://www.medem.com/medlb/article_detaillb.cfm?article_ID=ZZZ50DFWGWC&sub_cat=24
Parents’ Guide to Childhood Immunization
From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, a U.S. government
agency whose mission is to protect and improve public health in the United
States (available in English and Spanish, requires the free Acrobat PDF
viewer software)
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/Parents-Guide/default.htm
For those without Internet access or those who would like to speak with
someone in person, CDC's National Immunization Information Hotline can
be reached toll-free at 1-800-232-2522 (for Spanish speakers, the number
is 1-800-232-0233)
Your Child’s Immunizations from KidsHealth.org
(sponsored by the American Academy of Family Physicians – the national
organization of U.S. family doctors -- and the non-profit Nemours Foundation)
http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/general/body/vaccine.html
Vaccine Education Center at the Children’s
Hospital of Philadelphia
Information from one of the other top children’s health centers
in the nation!
http://www.vaccine.chop.edu
National Network for Immunization Information
– Parents Page
(includes a guide to each state’s vaccination requirements!)
http://www.immunizationinfo.org/parents/index.cfm
Important Information for Families from
the Childhood Immunization Support Program (a joint project
of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention)
http://www.cispimmunize.org/fam/fam_main.html
Immunization Action Coalition's - Vaccine
Information for the public and health professionals page.
http://www.vaccineinformation.org/
Information to help keep your child’s
immunizations on schedule:
UMHS Health Topics: Immunizations for prevention
(a brief summary and schedule)
http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/pa/pa_immuniza_hhg.htm
Make a Vaccination Schedule for your child!
From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www2a.cdc.gov/nip/scheduler_le/default.asp
General Vaccine Safety Information
Vaccine Safety Information for Parents
– Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/vacsafe/vacsafe-parents.htm
For those without Internet access or those who would like to speak with
someone in person, CDC's National Immunization Information Hotline can
be reached toll-free at 1-800-232-2522 (for Spanish speakers, the number
is 1-800-232-0233)
U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Frequently
Asked questions about vaccines
(The FDA is responsible for ensuring the safety of existing and new vaccines)
http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/095_vacc.html
For those who do not have access to the Internet, and those who wish
to speak with someone in person, the FDA Vaccine hotline can be reached
toll-free at 1-800-835-4709.
Facts and Myths about Immunizations from
Kids Health.org
(sponsored by the American Academy of Family Physicians – the national
organization of U.S. family doctors -- and the non-profit Nemours Foundation)
http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/general/body/fact_myth_immunizations.html
Specific information on thimerosal and
vaccines
Mercury (thimerosal) and Vaccines
– Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/vacsafe/concerns/thimerosal/default.htm
Thimerosal information from the Childhood
Immunization Support Program
(a joint project of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention)
http://www.cispimmunize.org/fam/thimrosal.html
Vaccine table showing thimerosal content
from the Institute for Vaccine Safety at Johns Hopkins University
http://www.vaccinesafety.edu
Influenza vaccination information
Important note: Some forms of the influenza vaccine
contain trace amounts of thimerosal as a preservative. Influenza vaccines
are recommended for children ages 6 to 23 months, and for older children
with certain health conditions. Influenza vaccines are also encouraged
for older and healthier children whose parents wish to prevent them from
getting the flu. If you prefer to choose an influenza vaccine without
thimerosal for your child, please inform your health provider before the
vaccination appointment.
Is the flu vaccine a good idea for your
family?
from Kids Health.org (sponsored by the American Academy of Family Physicians
and the non-profit Nemours Foundation)
http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/general/body/flu_vaccine.html
University of Michigan Health System Health
Topic: Influenza shot
http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/pa/pa_flushot_hhg.htm
Contact: Kara Gavin
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