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Ban on Mercury in Vaccines Wins Preliminary Approval

The Missouri House gave first round approval Wednesday to a bill that takes aim at mercury in vaccines.

Missy Shelton reports.

The proposal would prohibit children from receiving vaccinations that contain mercury.

It also would require doctors to inform adults if they're going to receive a vaccine that contains mercury.

Bill supporters say mercury poisoning appears to be connected to autism.

Represnetative Rob Schaaf is a family physician who's had a personal experience with mercury.

He says he had terrible allergies until a dentist removed his mercury fillings.

Schaaf says he supports vaccines and doesn't want people to stop getting immunizations.

But Democratic Representative Jeff Harris says he opposes the bill because he believes it's part of a larger, anti-vaccine movement.

Harris says he doesn't think science supports the conclusion that mercury in vaccines causes autism.

But Schaaf says even if the science isn't conclusive, he'd rather err on the side of safety.

The Centers for Disease Control has recommended that drug companies remove mercury from vaccines.

Bill supporters say they hope the legislation will force companies that haven't complied with the recommendation to remove the heavy metal from their vaccines.

Harris says while he sympathizes with parents who have autistic children, he doesn't believe this bill will address their concerns.

A lobbyists for several pharmaceutical companies testified against the bill at a recent public hearing.

The bill faces a final vote in the House before it can move to the senate for consideration.

SOC