A suspected link between childhood vaccines and autism was thought by many to be dispelled by a federal court ruling last week that declared no link between the two.  Autism activists in Iowa aren’t convinced, however, and will continue seeking a statewide ban against mercury in any vaccine given to children.

Iowa banned the use of thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative used in many common childhood vaccines, in 2004 but there was one loophole to that particular legislation.  The preservative cannot be used in the vaccines routinely given to children except for influenza vaccines.  Pinning their hopes on the final decision of the US Court of Federal Claims, in Washington, DC, the Iowa activist groups, with hopes dashed, have now vowed to continue their efforts toward a full ban on mercury in even flu vaccines.

Vaccines against childhood diseases are usually packaged individually, one dose per package.  Not so with the influenza vaccine.  Since this vaccine is often administered to many people in a short period of time, the flu vaccine is packaged in multi-dose vials, which are less expensive and easier to use than the individually packaged vaccines.  Many medical experts say thimerasol is required in these larger vials to prevent spoilage.

While many parents of autistic children and activists against mercury in children’s vaccines remain optimistic they can pass Iowa House File 56, banning mercury in all children’s vaccines, including influenza vaccines, skeptics say the bill will never be approved, especially after last week’s federal court ruling on the matter.