Durrheim, David N., and Poland, Gregory A. (2013) United Nations mercury treaty jeopardizes vaccine protection of the world's most vulnerable children. Vaccine, 31 (10). pp. 1357-1358.

PDF (Published Version) - Published Version Restricted to Repository staff only

 

1

2

Abstract

[Extract] Thiomersal (also known as thimerosal in the United States) is a bacteriostatic preservative used in vaccines and other biologic products since the 1930s for several specific reasons: as a broad bacteriostatic agent; as a preservative; and to inactivate specific moieties. Its concentration in most vaccines results in delivery of about 25 μg of thiomerosal in each dose administered. Importantly, thiomerosal is only 50% ethylmercury by weight. Many regulators, including the United States Code of Federal Regulations, require the addition of a preservative to multi-dose vaccine vials. Multi-dose vials have several advantages. They are cheaper than single dose formulations, and because more doses can be stored in a smaller space, they allow for decreased storage costs across the cold chain from production to final administration. These costs can be quite substantial for large immunization programs.

Actions (Repository Staff Only)

Item Control Page