Journal of Biomedical and Engineering Research

The Role of Thiomersal in Vaccine Preservation: Examining the Evidence Against a Link to Autism

Abstract

Solomon Asmamaw Tadesse

Thiomersal functions as an ethylmercury-based preservative that protects multi-dose vaccines from microbial contamination. The late 1990s brought forth worries about ASD potentially being caused by thiomersal which led regulatory agencies to evaluate its safety. The body quickly eliminates ethylmercury compared to methylmercury, decreasing the toxicity risk. The CDC together with WHO and IOM along with extensive epidemiological research and large-scale cohort and case-control analyses have established that ASD does not result from thiomersal vaccines. The continued increase in autism prevalence since thiomersal was eliminated from pediatric vaccines proves that the hypothesis is incorrect. Research into mechanisms and toxicology shows no possible biological route that connects thiomersal exposure to autism spectrum disorder development. The scientific consensus about vaccine safety remains unchanged despite ongoing public worries that lead to vaccine hesitancy. The review demonstrates scientific evidence showing thiomersal safety in vaccines while stressing the need to combat misinformation to sustain public trust in immunization programs.

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