Introduction Of The Mercury-Free Vaccines Act Of 2009

Floor Speech

Mrs. MALONEY. Madam Speaker, today I am reintroducing an important piece of legislation with my colleagues Mr. Smith, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Burton, and Mr. Ackerman that will protect infants and young children from mercury, a known neurotoxin, in vaccines. This legislation builds on the policy recommendations issued in July 1999 by the Public Health Service, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Family Physicians. That policy proclaimed ``[The] Public Health Service, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and vaccine manufacturers agree that thimerosal-containing vaccines should be removed as soon as possible.'' Mercury is well established as a neurotoxin and is particularly harmful to the developing central nervous system. Given that mercury remains in some childhood vaccines and that some infants are likely to receive mercury-containing flu vaccine in the upcoming flu season this bill puts in statute definite timelines for the elimination of mercury from vaccines to eliminate this exposure in children and reduce this exposure in adults. It is incumbent upon us to ensure the immunizations we provide our children are free from harmful neurotoxins, which is why I proudly introduce this legislation.

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