Mercury banned in vaccines for women, children

By John Vlahovich
Spokane Public Radio

The Washington House today passed without dissent a measure prohibiting vaccinations using vaccines containing mercury.

Not that mercury in vaccines to prevent bacterial contamination is a major problem. The substance hasn’t been used since 1999.

West Seattle Democrat Eileen Cody says the new bill is as much about education as it is public health safety.

There are many people who still believe there is mercury in the vaccines,” says Cody, “and they are avoiding getting their children vaccinated because of this. So we have passed this bill forward, actually trying to turn it into more of an educational piece so that people understand the need for vaccinations and also to take care of the fear of mercury in vaccines.”

The measure received bi-partisan backing. Central Washington Republican Bill Hinkle, ranking minority member of the House Committee on Health, also urged passage.

The U-S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that currently only some flu vaccines contain the compound that includes Mercury.