From Missouri Digital News: https://mdn.org
MDN Menu

MDN Home

Journalist's Creed

Print

MDN Help

 MDN.ORG: Missouri Digital News
MDN Menu

MDN Home

Journalist's Creed

Print

MDN Help

 MDN.ORG Mo. Digital News Missouri Digital News MDN.ORG: Mo. Digital News MDN.ORG: Missouri Digital News
Help  

Senate Committee Considers Banning Vaccines with Mercury

March 31, 2004
By: Missy Shelton
State Capital Bureau

A senate committee listened to several parents talk about how their healthy children developed autism after receiving vaccines containing thimerasal, a perservative containing mercury.

Keith Mueller described the condition of his 3 year old son.

Actuality:Keith1
RunTime:
OutCue:
Contents:

Lawmakers are considering a bill that would prevent children from receiving these vaccines...The bill would also require adults be notified if they're going to receive a vaccine containing thimerasal.

During the hearing on the bill, lawmakers heard from Dr. Michael Cooperstock, chief of pediatric infectious diseases at the University of Missouri.

Actuality:Coop1
RunTime:
OutCue:
Contents:

The U.S. government has recommended pharmaceutical companies remove thimerasal from vaccines.

Supporters of the bill say drug manufacturers aren't acting fast enough.

Luann Clark and her husband who is a physician say thimerasal caused their 8 year old son's autism.

She told lawmakers that drug companies acknowledge that thimerasal is a harmful substance.

Actuality:Lu1
RunTime:
OutCue:
Contents:

One physician warned lawmakers that all the negative comments about the preservative in vaccines will have a harmful effect.

Dr. Robert Harris has been a pediatrician for 40 years.

Actuality:Harris1
RunTime:
OutCue:
Contents:

No one representing drug companies testified at the hearing.

The bill has already gained support from the House of Representatives.

It faces a committee vote before moving to the senate floor for consideration.

SOC