Since the 1930s, manufacturers have added minute quantities of mercury to
vaccines to preserve them. But the American Academy of Pediatrics has now asked
the industry to find alternatives. The academy points to a study from the US
Food and Drug Administration showing that infants who receive multiple vaccines
could exceed the mercury exposure limits set by environmental agencies. Jon
Abramson, a paediatrician who chairs the academy’s infectious disease committee,
says that “the FDA and the companies will move very quickly”. The WHO says that
it supports the academy’s position, but stresses that existing vaccines should
still be used until alternatives are available.
More from New Scientist
Explore the latest news, articles and features

ÎçÒ¹¸£Àû1000¼¯ºÏ
Cancer is increasing in young people and we still don't know why
News

ÎçÒ¹¸£Àû1000¼¯ºÏ
People are betting on measles outbreaks – and that might be useful
News

Physics
Is consciousness more fundamental to reality than quantum physics?
Features

Technology
Humanoid robots may be about to break the 100-metre sprint record
News
Popular articles
Trending New Scientist articles
1
100-year-old assumption about the universe may soon be overturned
2
Is consciousness more fundamental to reality than quantum physics?
3
We may finally have a cure for many different autoimmune conditions
4
Why the keto diet could be a revolutionary way to treat mental illness
5
The bombshell results that demand a new theory of the universe
6
Largest-ever octopus was great white shark of invertebrate predators
7
Humanoid robots may be about to break the 100-metre sprint record
8
How your heart rate variability can offer an insight into your mind
9
How I pay almost nothing to power my house and electric car
10
Coral reefs on a remote archipelago shrugged off a massive heatwave