Myth of 'autism-causing mercury' in vaccines debunked

A widely circulated falsehood claims that ethylmercury, a preservative in some vaccines, causes autism and harms recipients. However, scientific research has conclusively disproven this assertion. Ethylmercury, also known as thimerosal, is an organic mercury compound that the body metabolizes and eliminates quickly, unlike the more dangerous methylmercury found in the environment.

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Thimerosal does not accumulate in the body, does not cause autism or other developmental disorders, and is not harmful in the doses used in vaccines.

Numerous studies, including those cited by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), have found no link between thimerosal in vaccines and the development of autism. Notably, even after thimerosal was removed from most childhood vaccines, autism rates continued to rise globally, further undermining the claim.

The myth originated from a 1998 study published in The Lancet by gastroenterologist Andrew Wakefield. He suggested a connection between the MMR vaccine and increased autism risk based on a small sample of 12 children. However, the MMR vaccine does not contain thimerosal, as it is a live-attenuated vaccine that does not require a preservative. Subsequent investigations revealed that Wakefield's study was commissioned and funded by a lawyer preparing a lawsuit against the vaccine manufacturer, and he had selected children through an anti-vaccine campaign.

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In many well-conducted studies, the conclusion has been that thimerosal in vaccines does not contribute to the development of autism.

In 2010, The Lancet officially retracted Wakefield's article, and the UK's General Medical Council (GMC) revoked his medical license for serious professional misconduct. Despite these findings, the misinformation continues to affect public perception of vaccine safety.

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The study was commissioned and financed by a lawyer preparing a lawsuit against the vaccine manufacturer.