WA Vaccine Notice - Mercury limits law temporarily suspended

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Immunization Partners -

Mercury limits law temporarily suspended

Secretary of Health Selecky has extended the temporary

suspension of Washington’s limit on the amount of mercury (thimerosal) in

influenza vaccine allowed for pregnant women and children younger than

three years old. The suspension is extended through June 30, 2012. It

applies only to 2011-2012 seasonal influenza vaccine in multi-dose vials.

Washington state law limits the amount of mercury that can be in vaccines

for pregnant women and children under three. The secretary of health can

suspend the law when there is a shortage of vaccine, which continues to

be the case for certain groups of people during the upcoming flu

season. The tip cap of the 2011-2012 single dose thimerosal-free

flu vaccine that comes in pre-filled syringes may contain trace amounts

of natural rubber latex. This means that children under three and

pregnant women who have or may have latex allergies may be advised by

their health care provider to not get the thimerosal-free single dose

syringes. Supplies of other types of thimerosal-free flu vaccine are

limited and can’t be used for all people.

Suspending the thimerosal limits law removes barriers so people can

choose to be protected. Pregnant women and children under three are at

high risk for serious complications if they get the flu. If a health care

provider is concerned about patients in these groups having an allergic

reaction to latex, this suspension allows providers and patients the

opportunity to use other types of flu vaccine. Vaccination is voluntary,

and we encourage people to talk to their health care provider about

getting vaccinated.

Notification requirements

When the mercury limits are suspended the law requires that certain

groups be told they are getting a vaccine containing more mercury than is

usually permitted. This notification requirement applies to pregnant or

lactating women and parents or guardians of children under the age of 18

getting the vaccine. There is no single notification method required; the

Department of Health has developed a sample notification form to help you

with this. This and other related documents are available online (

http://www.doh.wa.gov/cfh/Immunize/providers/flu-thimerosal.htm

).

Janna Bardi, MPH

Manager, Immunization Program CHILD Profile

Washington State Department of Health

PO Box 47843

111 Israel Road SE

Olympia, WA 98504-7843

email:

janna.bardi@...

phone:

Sheri Nakken, former R.N., MA, Hahnemannian

Homeopath

Vaccination Information & Choice Network, Washington State, USA

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