Political advances on thimerosal

* No state had thimerosal restrictions a year ago.

<li> California and Iowa passed restrictions last year.

<li> At least 11 states, including Missouri, are considering bills this year.

<li> In Missouri, a thimerosal bill passed out of the Senate's health committee, banning thimerosal to children 14 years or younger. According to co-sponsor Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau, the age limit was changed to 3 to ensure Gov. Matt Blunt's signature. Blunt's secretary said Missouri was "following California's lead." When asked to elaborate, the secretary said his office was in contact with pediatricians and health-care providers who wanted flexibility and options regarding the vaccines. She pointed out that required childhood vaccines were thimerosal-free and also cited last May's Institute of Medicine report. Crowell said he was concerned that the bill does not cover kindergarten vaccinations but said he didn't want the "pursuit of perfection to become the enemy of good." The bill will likely be considered by the Senate this week, Crowell said.

<li> Federal bill HR 881, sponsored by Dr. David Weldon, R-Fla., and Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., would require that flu shots for children under age 3 and pregnant women contain no more than one microgram of mercury beginning with the 2006-2007 flu season. A year later, the age limit increases to 6. It also requires that by July 1, 2006, all other routine childhood vaccines contain no more than one microgram of mercury and recommends that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention should recommend against administering a mercury-containing vaccine to pregnant women.