Lawmakers weigh ban of shots with mercury

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Separate House and Senate committees on Wednesday considered bills that would ban immunizations containing mercury-based preservatives from being administered to children.

Such preservatives, particularly thimerosal, have been linked to causing autism in children, but the relationship hasn't been scientifically established as fact.

"While there has not been any absolute proof of cause and effect, there seems to be a growing body of evidence of a connection," said state Sen. Norma Champion, R-Springfield and sponsor of one of the bills.

Dr. Roy Holand of Springfield, a former state representative who handled the mercury ban last year, said that since using thimerosal as a preservative isn't necessary, there is no reason to put children at risk of neurological damage by exposing them to it.

State Sen. Jason Crowell, who is also sponsoring a bill on the subject, put it more succinctly.

"Mercury is a neurotoxin, which equals bad," said Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau. "It's particularly bad when you inject it into children."

The bills offered by Crowell and Champion, as well as one sponsored by state Rep. Rob Schaaf, R-St. Joseph and a physician, are generally the same. They would prohibit immunizations containing mercury from being given to children under 7 or 8 years of age, depending on the bill, starting in early 2007.

Gov. Matt Blunt said he would likely sign a version of the bill should one reach his desk.

"I would want to know details before I would make a decision on legislation," Blunt said. "But based on what I know of the science at this point, I would support a mercury ban."

No one testified against any of the bills in either committee. However, supporters anticipate opposition from some in the medical community and the pharmaceutical industry.

During the Senate hearing, state Sen. Pat Dougherty, D-St. Louis, noted representatives from various Missouri children's hospitals took a lead role in blocking last year's legislation.

"I don't think they are ill-advised in what they do in terms of serving children," Dougherty said.

Although the earlier version won overwhelming House approval, the conflicting medical opinions on the subject caused the measure to stall when it first came before the Senate on the second-to-last day of the legislative session.

While the medical community is divided on whether thimerosal in vaccines contributes to autism, parents of autistic children are united in their conviction that it does.

Dr. Alan Clark of Carthage said his own child, now 9, developed severe mental disorders shortly after receiving an immunization containing mercury a couple of years ago. After extensively studying available research, he found evidence of a link "extremely compelling."

"The discovery of these seemingly hidden facts was a shock to me after 30 years of medical practice," Clark said.

The bills are SB 49 (Crowell), SB 74 (Champion) and HB 131 (Schaaf).

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