RE: Thimerosal Debate Could Affect Flu Shot Supply

May 12, 2004

>the CDC refuses to allow anyone access their data base. Is there anything

>we can do about this?

Maybe a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) would help us get more

information? I'd be glad to help draw up FOIA's on this topic if you'd

like...I'd just need to know what it is that you'd like to request.

http://www.usdoj.gov/04foia/04_1.html

<http://www.usdoj.gov/04foia/04_1.html>

This site contains some information about the requirements of the FOIA

http://www.cdc.gov/od/foia/foidir.htm

<http://www.cdc.gov/od/foia/foidir.htm>

This site is the CDC's official FOIA site about their own FOIA's

I'm so glad that I found all of you here in this group and I'm so happy for

the information that I've been able to research and learn about the dangers

of vaccination. We have NOT vaxxed our 1 yo son Christian and I'm so glad

that we haven't. I'm happy for us and any others of you who have not vaxxed

and am grateful for the overwhelming amount of information that is provided

through this group.

My heart TOTALLY goes out to those of you that have children who have been

injured by vaccinations. I can't tell you how much my heart hurts when I

hear your stories, and I'm sure that my heart doesn't hurt even an iota

compared to how much your hearts hurt because of this industry's inability

to put their pocket books last and the sanctity of human life first!! It

sickens me and saddens me.

If there's anything I can do to help with any information that can be

gathered by sending a FOIA, please let me know...I will do the best I can to

be there for all of you, the way you've been there and encouraged me.

Blessings,

Nicki

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May 12, 2004

The Geiers are true heroes. I imagine talking with our state and federal

officials would be the place to start. I read that the Geiers have been

meeting with attorney generals from various states. So perhaps contacting

the attorney general in your state to educate him or her on this issue might

be helpful as well.

Thimerosal Debate Could Affect Flu Shot Supply

> Articles like this one tend to upset me. They are discrediting Geier's

study, still denying a link between mercury and autism. It is scary how

agencies like that can have such an influence on medicine and the thinking

of the American public. Just using logic we instinctively know that mercury

injected into the body would be harmful, but because " they " say it is not

with no science to back it up we believe them. One statement in here says

that Dr. Geier can no longer access the CDC documents, then after that there

has been no studies that replicate the studies they did. It is obvious to

me that there will be no more studies because the CDC refuses to allow

anyone access their data base. Is there anything we can do about this?

>

> Weldon wants mercury-free vaccines

>

> http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/news-article.aspx?storyid=18386

> WJXX, FL

> May 7, 2004

>

> Thimerosal Debate Could Affect Flu Shot Supply

>

> By Ross

> First Coast News

>

> PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FL -- Madison Rolfsen, 7, greets visitors to her home

> with an unself-conscious wave, a gap-toothed smile, a soft-spoken " Hi. "

>

> Her large blue eyes peek shyly upward at the adults in the room. She seems

> to blend in with the other kids in her upscale Ponte Vedra Beach

> neighborhood.

>

> And that is a miraculous turn of events for her mother.

>

> " When you look at her now, you can hardly tell she was diagnosed along the

> autism spectrum, " says Jennie Rolfsen.

>

> The diagnosis was first rendered at age 3, just a few months after

Madison,

> who had been sick, tried to " catch up " during a visit to the pediatrician

by

> receiving some scheduled vaccinations she had missed.

>

> " She got nine shots on the same day, " says Jennie. Hib, Hep, MMR, DTaP, I

> can't even remember them all. "

>

> All of Madison's shots contained the mercury-laced preservative,

thimerosal.

> At the time, Jennie says, she did not even know what thimerosal was. But

> this mother vividly remembers the days and weeks after that visit to the

> doctor.

>

> " We got home, and she slept for more than 24 hours straight. It was like a

> zombie sleep. That worried me much more than her high fever. I just could

> not wake her up. "

>

> " Then, three days later, she was gone. " She pauses. " She was just gone. "

>

> Madison, says her mother, quickly began to lose skills, words she had

> learned. The little girl's personality appeared to change almost

overnight,

> from that of a bubbly, energetic, outgoing child to " a kid completely

> withdrawn into her own world. "

>

> " We had lost her. "

>

> A specialist diagnosed pervasive developmental disorder, one of several

>

> diagnoses along what's known as the autism spectrum. P.D.D. children

present

> autistic symptoms, but are not considered to be as severely regressed as

> those with classic autism.

>

> As Madison languished, the Rolfsens began scouring the Internet for

answers.

> Specialists in autism-related disorders eventually confirmed their fears.

> Madison, they were told, suffered heavy metal toxicity from the

> thimerosal-containing vaccines she received, which they believe inflicted

> neurological damage.

>

> " We immediately began to research treatment options, " she says, " beginning

> with a wheat- and dairy-free diet, special supplements, and lots of

> behavioral therapy. "

>

> The treatments have had some positive effect. While Madison still

struggles,

> Rolfsen says her daughter has made huge strides in the four years since

she

> was diagnosed.

>

> " She's just doing so great now. We want her to go to college, and work,

and

> just do whatever she wants to do. "

>

> Vaccine manufacturers began removing thimerosal from childhood vaccines

> beginning in 1999, due in part to worries the potent preservative, which

is

> used to prevent decontamination and which is 49.6% mercury by weight,

might

> have been contributing to rising rates of autism and developmental

> disorders. 37 ville families are currently petitioning the U.S.

Court

> of Federal Claims for compensation because they believe their childrens'

> autistic symptoms stem from thimerosal.

>

> The concern, says Florida Congressman and physician Weldon, centers

on

> the fact that the number of vaccinations mandated for children sharply

> increased during the 1990's. Weldon has joined the chorus of those who

> believe the increased mercury load damaged some children.

>

> However, others believe parents and researchers have mistakenly made the

> thimerosal-autism connection because many children were diagnosed with the

> disorder at around the same time that they tended to receive clusters of

> vaccines.

>

> But although thimerosal is now out of most vaccines, Weldon has recently

> introduced legislation calling for a complete ban on the preservative, a

> measure that could affect this year's supply of flu vaccine. The majority

of

> flu shots contain 25 micrograms of thimerosal, although a

preservative-free

> version of the flu jab is available.

>

> " That's why I'm introducing this legislation now, " he told First Coast

News.

> " This is one of the most toxic substances on the planet, and I want to

make

> sure no thimerosal-containing flu shots are given this year. Because

anyone

> who would knowingly inject a little baby with mercury-

>

> " I would consider that malpractice. "

>

> The debate over thimerosal's potential role in autism - now believed to

> affect around 1 in 160 American children - is fierce. Studies on the issue

> that directly contradict each other fly through cyberspace and are hotly

> debated at medical conferences, like a recent Institute of Medicine panel

on

> the topic held in February of 2004 in Washington, D.C.

>

> At the IOM panel, researchers presented evidence both supporting and

> rejecting the theory that thimerosal has played a role in rising autism

> rates.

>

> Dr. Mark Geier and his researcher son, , were two of the featured

> speakers. Using information from the Centers for Disease Control's own

> Vaccine Safety Datalink, the Geiers say they found evidence that children

> who received thimerosal-containing shots were six times more likely to

> become autistic than those that didn't.

>

> " It's the worst mistake that was ever made in the history of medicine, "

says

> Geier.

>

> Geier also points out, in addition to the flu shot, some non-routine

> vaccinations, like DT, still contain thimerosal. He supports Weldon's push

> for a ban.

>

> But the Centers for Disease Control tells First Coast News the concerns

are

> overblown, and says the Geiers' research, along with other studies

> supporting their position, are not credible. Furthermore, the Geiers are

no

> longer being allowed to access the CDC's vaccine database, because the CDC

> claims the Geiers did not follow proper privacy procedures.

>

> Says Steve Cochi, acting director of the CDC's National Immunization

> Program, " The studies showing a potential link have not been subjected to

> sufficient peer review. They have not been replicated. "

>

> This, despite the First Coast News I-Team's confirmation back in February,

> that the CDC knew as far back as 2000 that thimerosal might be harmful. An

> internal study conducted by the CDC was discussed in June of that year at

a

> secret meeting in Simpsonwood, Georgia, featuring representatives from the

> CDC, the FDA, and the vaccine industry. During the meeting, the

participants

> went over disturbing study results about thimerosal and expressed alarm.

In

> the minutes, one pediatrician goes so far as to say, " I don't want my

> grandson to get a vaccine with thimerosal until we know what's going on

> here. "

>

> But the CDC went on to release a study in the November 2003 issue of

> " Pediatrics " clearing thimerosal of any link to neurological problems in

> children.

>

> Cochi says the Simpsonwood meeting's minutes, eventually released through

> the Freedom of Information Act, offer no proof thimerosal has the

potential

> to harm. He adds, " It is far more critical that we immunize everyone

against

> influenza, which is a serious threat, than endanger the supply of vaccine

> over a theoretical risk. " He says the CDC does not plan to recommend

> mercury-free flu shots over the traditional thimerosal-containing ones.

>

> Meantime, the CDC has already begun stockpiling flu vaccines, both with

and

> without thimerosal, to safeguard against possible shortages such as those

> the country saw last year.

>

> And Cochi says if Weldon's legislation passes, a mandate of only

> mercury-free flu shots could squeeze an already tight supply.

>

> As for Weldon's implication that the CDC is, in effect, guilty of medical

> malpractice by recommending mercury-laced flu shots-

>

> " Well, any politician can champion a cause, " says Cochi, " whether it is

> based on fact, or whether it is not based on fact. And one must consider

the

> consequences of unfounded fear. "

>

> Rubbish, says Weldon. " Mercury-free flu shots cost about $4 more per dose.

> That's about the cost of a Happy Meal. "

>

> As the debate rages, parents of autistic children are becoming ever more

> aggressive in their search for effective treatments. Jennie Rolfsen joined

> thousands of other parents this March at the Defeat Autism Now! conference

> in Washington, D.C., a symposium featuring the nation's leading experts on

> biomedical treatments for autism-related disorders.

>

> " Every time I go, I learn something new, " she says. " Every year Madison

gets

> better. "

>

> She envisions Madison's future at age 25, 30, and beyond, and the tears

well

> up. " I just hope she's walking down the aisle somewhere! "

>

> " I pray to God, " she says. " I pray to God. "

>

> Weldon wants mercury-free vaccines

>

> http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/news-article.aspx?storyid=18386

> WJXX, FL

> May 7, 2004

>

> Thimerosal Debate Could Affect Flu Shot Supply

>

> By Ross

> First Coast News

>

> PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FL -- Madison Rolfsen, 7, greets visitors to her home

> with an unself-conscious wave, a gap-toothed smile, a soft-spoken " Hi. "

>

> Her large blue eyes peek shyly upward at the adults in the room. She seems

> to blend in with the other kids in her upscale Ponte Vedra Beach

> neighborhood.

>

> And that is a miraculous turn of events for her mother.

>

> " When you look at her now, you can hardly tell she was diagnosed along the

> autism spectrum, " says Jennie Rolfsen.

>

> The diagnosis was first rendered at age 3, just a few months after

Madison,

> who had been sick, tried to " catch up " during a visit to the pediatrician

by

> receiving some scheduled vaccinations she had missed.

>

> " She got nine shots on the same day, " says Jennie. Hib, Hep, MMR, DTaP, I

> can't even remember them all. "

>

> All of Madison's shots contained the mercury-laced preservative,

thimerosal.

> At the time, Jennie says, she did not even know what thimerosal was. But

> this mother vividly remembers the days and weeks after that visit to the

> doctor.

>

> " We got home, and she slept for more than 24 hours straight. It was like a

> zombie sleep. That worried me much more than her high fever. I just could

> not wake her up. "

>

> " Then, three days later, she was gone. " She pauses. " She was just gone. "

>

> Madison, says her mother, quickly began to lose skills, words she had

> learned. The little girl's personality appeared to change almost

overnight,

> from that of a bubbly, energetic, outgoing child to " a kid completely

> withdrawn into her own world. "

>

> " We had lost her. "

>

> A specialist diagnosed pervasive developmental disorder, one of several

>

> diagnoses along what's known as the autism spectrum. P.D.D. children

present

> autistic symptoms, but are not considered to be as severely regressed as

> those with classic autism.

>

> As Madison languished, the Rolfsens began scouring the Internet for

answers.

> Specialists in autism-related disorders eventually confirmed their fears.

> Madison, they were told, suffered heavy metal toxicity from the

> thimerosal-containing vaccines she received, which they believe inflicted

> neurological damage.

>

> " We immediately began to research treatment options, " she says, " beginning

> with a wheat- and dairy-free diet, special supplements, and lots of

> behavioral therapy. "

>

> The treatments have had some positive effect. While Madison still

struggles,

> Rolfsen says her daughter has made huge strides in the four years since

she

> was diagnosed.

>

> " She's just doing so great now. We want her to go to college, and work,

and

> just do whatever she wants to do. "

>

> Vaccine manufacturers began removing thimerosal from childhood vaccines

> beginning in 1999, due in part to worries the potent preservative, which

is

> used to prevent decontamination and which is 49.6% mercury by weight,

might

> have been contributing to rising rates of autism and developmental

> disorders. 37 ville families are currently petitioning the U.S.

Court

> of Federal Claims for compensation because they believe their childrens'

> autistic symptoms stem from thimerosal.

>

> The concern, says Florida Congressman and physician Weldon, centers

on

> the fact that the number of vaccinations mandated for children sharply

> increased during the 1990's. Weldon has joined the chorus of those who

> believe the increased mercury load damaged some children.

>

> However, others believe parents and researchers have mistakenly made the

> thimerosal-autism connection because many children were diagnosed with the

> disorder at around the same time that they tended to receive clusters of

> vaccines.

>

> But although thimerosal is now out of most vaccines, Weldon has recently

> introduced legislation calling for a complete ban on the preservative, a

> measure that could affect this year's supply of flu vaccine. The majority

of

> flu shots contain 25 micrograms of thimerosal, although a

preservative-free

> version of the flu jab is available.

>

> " That's why I'm introducing this legislation now, " he told First Coast

News.

> " This is one of the most toxic substances on the planet, and I want to

make

> sure no thimerosal-containing flu shots are given this year. Because

anyone

> who would knowingly inject a little baby with mercury-

>

> " I would consider that malpractice. "

>

> The debate over thimerosal's potential role in autism - now believed to

> affect around 1 in 160 American children - is fierce. Studies on the issue

> that directly contradict each other fly through cyberspace and are hotly

> debated at medical conferences, like a recent Institute of Medicine panel

on

> the topic held in February of 2004 in Washington, D.C.

>

> At the IOM panel, researchers presented evidence both supporting and

> rejecting the theory that thimerosal has played a role in rising autism

> rates.

>

> Dr. Mark Geier and his researcher son, , were two of the featured

> speakers. Using information from the Centers for Disease Control's own

> Vaccine Safety Datalink, the Geiers say they found evidence that children

> who received thimerosal-containing shots were six times more likely to

> become autistic than those that didn't.

>

> " It's the worst mistake that was ever made in the history of medicine, "

says

> Geier.

>

> Geier also points out, in addition to the flu shot, some non-routine

> vaccinations, like DT, still contain thimerosal. He supports Weldon's push

> for a ban.

>

> But the Centers for Disease Control tells First Coast News the concerns

are

> overblown, and says the Geiers' research, along with other studies

> supporting their position, are not credible. Furthermore, the Geiers are

no

> longer being allowed to access the CDC's vaccine database, because the CDC

> claims the Geiers did not follow proper privacy procedures.

>

> Says Steve Cochi, acting director of the CDC's National Immunization

> Program, " The studies showing a potential link have not been subjected to

> sufficient peer review. They have not been replicated. "

>

> This, despite the First Coast News I-Team's confirmation back in February,

> that the CDC knew as far back as 2000 that thimerosal might be harmful. An

> internal study conducted by the CDC was discussed in June of that year at

a

> secret meeting in Simpsonwood, Georgia, featuring representatives from the

> CDC, the FDA, and the vaccine industry. During the meeting, the

participants

> went over disturbing study results about thimerosal and expressed alarm.

In

> the minutes, one pediatrician goes so far as to say, " I don't want my

> grandson to get a vaccine with thimerosal until we know what's going on

> here. "

>

> But the CDC went on to release a study in the November 2003 issue of

> " Pediatrics " clearing thimerosal of any link to neurological problems in

> children.

>

> Cochi says the Simpsonwood meeting's minutes, eventually released through

> the Freedom of Information Act, offer no proof thimerosal has the

potential

> to harm. He adds, " It is far more critical that we immunize everyone

against

> influenza, which is a serious threat, than endanger the supply of vaccine

> over a theoretical risk. " He says the CDC does not plan to recommend

> mercury-free flu shots over the traditional thimerosal-containing ones.

>

> Meantime, the CDC has already begun stockpiling flu vaccines, both with

and

> without thimerosal, to safeguard against possible shortages such as those

> the country saw last year.

>

> And Cochi says if Weldon's legislation passes, a mandate of only

> mercury-free flu shots could squeeze an already tight supply.

>

> As for Weldon's implication that the CDC is, in effect, guilty of medical

> malpractice by recommending mercury-laced flu shots-

>

> " Well, any politician can champion a cause, " says Cochi, " whether it is

> based on fact, or whether it is not based on fact. And one must consider

the

> consequences of unfounded fear. "

>

> Rubbish, says Weldon. " Mercury-free flu shots cost about $4 more per dose.

> That's about the cost of a Happy Meal. "

>

> As the debate rages, parents of autistic children are becoming ever more

> aggressive in their search for effective treatments. Jennie Rolfsen joined

> thousands of other parents this March at the Defeat Autism Now! conference

> in Washington, D.C., a symposium featuring the nation's leading experts on

> biomedical treatments for autism-related disorders.

>

> " Every time I go, I learn something new, " she says. " Every year Madison

gets

> better. "

>

> She envisions Madison's future at age 25, 30, and beyond, and the tears

well

> up. " I just hope she's walking down the aisle somewhere! "

>

> " I pray to God, " she says. " I pray to God. "

>

May 12, 2004

What about the freedom of information act? Don't kid yourself, they're running

scared. If Geier wasn't onto something they wouldn't be throwing roadblocks in

his way.

Suzanne

Ohio

Thimerosal Debate Could Affect Flu Shot Supply

Articles like this one tend to upset me. They are discrediting Geier's study,

still denying a link between mercury and autism. It is scary how agencies like

that can have such an influence on medicine and the thinking of the American

public. Just using logic we instinctively know that mercury injected into the

body would be harmful, but because " they " say it is not with no science to back

it up we believe them. One statement in here says that Dr. Geier can no longer

access the CDC documents, then after that there has been no studies that

replicate the studies they did. It is obvious to me that there will be no more

studies because the CDC refuses to allow anyone access their data base. Is

there anything we can do about this?

Weldon wants mercury-free vaccines

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/news-article.aspx?storyid=18386

WJXX, FL

May 7, 2004

Thimerosal Debate Could Affect Flu Shot Supply

By Ross

First Coast News

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FL -- Madison Rolfsen, 7, greets visitors to her home

with an unself-conscious wave, a gap-toothed smile, a soft-spoken " Hi. "

Her large blue eyes peek shyly upward at the adults in the room. She seems

to blend in with the other kids in her upscale Ponte Vedra Beach

neighborhood.

And that is a miraculous turn of events for her mother.

" When you look at her now, you can hardly tell she was diagnosed along the

autism spectrum, " says Jennie Rolfsen.

The diagnosis was first rendered at age 3, just a few months after Madison,

who had been sick, tried to " catch up " during a visit to the pediatrician by

receiving some scheduled vaccinations she had missed.

" She got nine shots on the same day, " says Jennie. Hib, Hep, MMR, DTaP, I

can't even remember them all. "

All of Madison's shots contained the mercury-laced preservative, thimerosal.

At the time, Jennie says, she did not even know what thimerosal was. But

this mother vividly remembers the days and weeks after that visit to the

doctor.

" We got home, and she slept for more than 24 hours straight. It was like a

zombie sleep. That worried me much more than her high fever. I just could

not wake her up. "

" Then, three days later, she was gone. " She pauses. " She was just gone. "

Madison, says her mother, quickly began to lose skills, words she had

learned. The little girl's personality appeared to change almost overnight,

from that of a bubbly, energetic, outgoing child to " a kid completely

withdrawn into her own world. "

" We had lost her. "

A specialist diagnosed pervasive developmental disorder, one of several

diagnoses along what's known as the autism spectrum. P.D.D. children present

autistic symptoms, but are not considered to be as severely regressed as

those with classic autism.

As Madison languished, the Rolfsens began scouring the Internet for answers.

Specialists in autism-related disorders eventually confirmed their fears.

Madison, they were told, suffered heavy metal toxicity from the

thimerosal-containing vaccines she received, which they believe inflicted

neurological damage.

" We immediately began to research treatment options, " she says, " beginning

with a wheat- and dairy-free diet, special supplements, and lots of

behavioral therapy. "

The treatments have had some positive effect. While Madison still struggles,

Rolfsen says her daughter has made huge strides in the four years since she

was diagnosed.

" She's just doing so great now. We want her to go to college, and work, and

just do whatever she wants to do. "

Vaccine manufacturers began removing thimerosal from childhood vaccines

beginning in 1999, due in part to worries the potent preservative, which is

used to prevent decontamination and which is 49.6% mercury by weight, might

have been contributing to rising rates of autism and developmental

disorders. 37 ville families are currently petitioning the U.S. Court

of Federal Claims for compensation because they believe their childrens'

autistic symptoms stem from thimerosal.

The concern, says Florida Congressman and physician Weldon, centers on

the fact that the number of vaccinations mandated for children sharply

increased during the 1990's. Weldon has joined the chorus of those who

believe the increased mercury load damaged some children.

However, others believe parents and researchers have mistakenly made the

thimerosal-autism connection because many children were diagnosed with the

disorder at around the same time that they tended to receive clusters of

vaccines.

But although thimerosal is now out of most vaccines, Weldon has recently

introduced legislation calling for a complete ban on the preservative, a

measure that could affect this year's supply of flu vaccine. The majority of

flu shots contain 25 micrograms of thimerosal, although a preservative-free

version of the flu jab is available.

" That's why I'm introducing this legislation now, " he told First Coast News.

" This is one of the most toxic substances on the planet, and I want to make

sure no thimerosal-containing flu shots are given this year. Because anyone

who would knowingly inject a little baby with mercury-

" I would consider that malpractice. "

The debate over thimerosal's potential role in autism - now believed to

affect around 1 in 160 American children - is fierce. Studies on the issue

that directly contradict each other fly through cyberspace and are hotly

debated at medical conferences, like a recent Institute of Medicine panel on

the topic held in February of 2004 in Washington, D.C.

At the IOM panel, researchers presented evidence both supporting and

rejecting the theory that thimerosal has played a role in rising autism

rates.

Dr. Mark Geier and his researcher son, , were two of the featured

speakers. Using information from the Centers for Disease Control's own

Vaccine Safety Datalink, the Geiers say they found evidence that children

who received thimerosal-containing shots were six times more likely to

become autistic than those that didn't.

" It's the worst mistake that was ever made in the history of medicine, " says

Geier.

Geier also points out, in addition to the flu shot, some non-routine

vaccinations, like DT, still contain thimerosal. He supports Weldon's push

for a ban.

But the Centers for Disease Control tells First Coast News the concerns are

overblown, and says the Geiers' research, along with other studies

supporting their position, are not credible. Furthermore, the Geiers are no

longer being allowed to access the CDC's vaccine database, because the CDC

claims the Geiers did not follow proper privacy procedures.

Says Steve Cochi, acting director of the CDC's National Immunization

Program, " The studies showing a potential link have not been subjected to

sufficient peer review. They have not been replicated. "

This, despite the First Coast News I-Team's confirmation back in February,

that the CDC knew as far back as 2000 that thimerosal might be harmful. An

internal study conducted by the CDC was discussed in June of that year at a

secret meeting in Simpsonwood, Georgia, featuring representatives from the

CDC, the FDA, and the vaccine industry. During the meeting, the participants

went over disturbing study results about thimerosal and expressed alarm. In

the minutes, one pediatrician goes so far as to say, " I don't want my

grandson to get a vaccine with thimerosal until we know what's going on

here. "

But the CDC went on to release a study in the November 2003 issue of

" Pediatrics " clearing thimerosal of any link to neurological problems in

children.

Cochi says the Simpsonwood meeting's minutes, eventually released through

the Freedom of Information Act, offer no proof thimerosal has the potential

to harm. He adds, " It is far more critical that we immunize everyone against

influenza, which is a serious threat, than endanger the supply of vaccine

over a theoretical risk. " He says the CDC does not plan to recommend

mercury-free flu shots over the traditional thimerosal-containing ones.

Meantime, the CDC has already begun stockpiling flu vaccines, both with and

without thimerosal, to safeguard against possible shortages such as those

the country saw last year.

And Cochi says if Weldon's legislation passes, a mandate of only

mercury-free flu shots could squeeze an already tight supply.

As for Weldon's implication that the CDC is, in effect, guilty of medical

malpractice by recommending mercury-laced flu shots-

" Well, any politician can champion a cause, " says Cochi, " whether it is

based on fact, or whether it is not based on fact. And one must consider the

consequences of unfounded fear. "

Rubbish, says Weldon. " Mercury-free flu shots cost about $4 more per dose.

That's about the cost of a Happy Meal. "

As the debate rages, parents of autistic children are becoming ever more

aggressive in their search for effective treatments. Jennie Rolfsen joined

thousands of other parents this March at the Defeat Autism Now! conference

in Washington, D.C., a symposium featuring the nation's leading experts on

biomedical treatments for autism-related disorders.

" Every time I go, I learn something new, " she says. " Every year Madison gets

better. "

She envisions Madison's future at age 25, 30, and beyond, and the tears well

up. " I just hope she's walking down the aisle somewhere! "

" I pray to God, " she says. " I pray to God. "