Anti-Vaxxers also claim that vaccines contain dangerous ingredients, and therefore, children should avoid them, lest they influence their growth. In contrast, vaccines are highly regulated and tested in detail before introduced to the public. Many claim that chemicals in vaccines, such as thimerosal or aluminum, are used in vaccines for less than honorable reasons. Instead, according to Elizabeth Forsyth M.D., chemicals are used to preserve and inactivate viruses within vaccines. Also, additives, known as adjuvants, increase a vaccine’s effectivity (Vaccinations 60). Although chemicals can be harmful to the body, vaccination ingredients are utilized for a specific reason and often increase a vaccines performance. In particular, Anti-Vaxxers believe the compound thimerosal specifically
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Furthermore, vaccinations no longer contain thimerosal as a result of public outrage, despite its extreme safety (Vaccinations 59). In summary, thimerosal contains no danger within a vaccine, especially now that it has been removed. Another claim of Anti-Vaxxers is that vaccines containing thimerosal can cause Autism Spectrum Disorders or ASD. While these claims can sound scary, they are often based on biased research. The connection between ASD and is largely founded on one study in 1998: A scientist named Andrew Wakefield and 11 of his colleagues reported a series of discoveries into a magazine, purporting a connection between the ingredients of the MMR vaccine and ASD. But, 10 of the 12 researchers have since retracted their findings, and have said, “no causal link was established between MMR vaccine and autism as the data were insufficient.” Furthermore, the scientists have since been exonerated and charged with scientific fraud for ethical violations and scientific misrepresentation (The MMR vaccine and autism: Sensation, refutation, retraction, and fraud
Furthermore, vaccinations no longer contain thimerosal as a result of public outrage, despite its extreme safety (Vaccinations 59). In summary, thimerosal contains no danger within a vaccine, especially now that it has been removed. Another claim of Anti-Vaxxers is that vaccines containing thimerosal can cause Autism Spectrum Disorders or ASD. While these claims can sound scary, they are often based on biased research. The connection between ASD and is largely founded on one study in 1998: A scientist named Andrew Wakefield and 11 of his colleagues reported a series of discoveries into a magazine, purporting a connection between the ingredients of the MMR vaccine and ASD. But, 10 of the 12 researchers have since retracted their findings, and have said, “no causal link was established between MMR vaccine and autism as the data were insufficient.” Furthermore, the scientists have since been exonerated and charged with scientific fraud for ethical violations and scientific misrepresentation (The MMR vaccine and autism: Sensation, refutation, retraction, and fraud