California Allows Temporary Use of Mercury-Containing Flu Shots for Young Children

State health officials have allowed doctors to temporarily use flu shots containing mercury for children under the age of three, citing a statewide shortage of mercury-free vaccine. This decision was made in response to a delay in shipment from the manufacturer, which has resulted in about half of the ordered doses being received by the state. The exemption is valid for up to six weeks, and health officials are urging parents to weigh their options when it comes to flu vaccinations for their children.

Key Takeaways:

• California is experiencing a temporary shortage of mercury-free flu vaccine due to a delay in shipment from the manufacturer.
• The state has received about one-half of the doses of flu vaccine ordered, and expects to have enough vaccine in six weeks.
• Under Assembly Bill 2943, the Legislature allowed for an exemption to give parents an option if vaccine supplies are low.
• The American Academy of Pediatrics, the California Medical Association, and the California Academy of Family Physicians appealed to the state for an exemption to allow doctors to give children flu shots containing mercury.
• Kaiser Permanente Northern California joined the doctor organizations in requesting the exemption, because it was concerned that children who are not Kaiser members might not be vaccinated otherwise.
• Several large federal studies have shown no link between childhood vaccines and autism, but many parents believe their children's neurodevelopmental problems can be traced to mercury exposure in vaccines.
• Health officials are urging parents to weigh their options when it comes to flu vaccinations for their children.
• About 36,000 people in the United States die from influenza each year, and at least 200,000 are ill enough to be hospitalized.

Statistics:

• 36,000: Number of people in the United States who die from influenza each year.
• 200,000: Number of people in the United States who are hospitalized due to influenza each year.
• 150 children: Number of children nationwide who died from influenza during the 2004 flu season.
• 6 weeks: Length of time the exemption is valid for doctors to administer mercury-containing flu shots to children under the age of three.

Sources:

• California Health and Human Services Agency (no date)
• Lizelda Lopez, spokeswoman at the state health agency
• Catherine Saldana, a Kings County health department nurse
• Rob Veneski, a Kaiser spokesman at the Fresno hospital
• The American Academy of Pediatrics
• The California Medical Association
• The California Academy of Family Physicians