| |
 |
CONGRATULATIONS DELAWARE!!
Please feel free to forward this message to any and all interested parties
and message boards
Lawmakers
approve phase out of mercury in vaccines
By RANDALL CHASE, Associated Press Writer
DOVER, Del. - After a contentious House debate,
Delaware lawmakers early Friday
passed a bill phasing out the use of vaccines containing mercury.
Effective Jan. 1, the bill would prohibit medical providers in Delaware from
administering any vaccine, except flu vaccine, containing more than a trace
amount of mercury, as defined by the federal government, to pregnant women
and children under eight years old.
The prohibition would be extended to the flu vaccine effective Jan. 1, 2007,
and the bill would prohibit vaccines containing any mercury for pregnant
women and young children beginning in 2008, except during declared epidemics
or states of emergency.
The bill, introduced amid a nationwide debate over whether the use of
Thimerosal and other
mercury-containing preservatives in vaccines may be linked to childhood
autism, represented a compromise between autism advocates the medical
community.
Under the original bill introduced by Rep. Pam Maier, R-Newark, no amount of
mercury would have been allowed in vaccines for pregnant women and children
starting Jan. 1, and insurers would have been prohibited from offering
reimbursement for such vaccines. Doctors who violated the ban would have
been responsible for costs of the immunizations and would have faced fines
of up to $1,000.
"I think we need to get rid of this mercury in vaccines, and the sooner the
better," said Rep. Richard Cathcart, R-Middletown, who sponsored an
unsuccessful amendment to speed up the phase out of trace amounts of
mercury.
Opponents of the amendment expressed concern that the proposed regulations
could lead to vaccine shortages, an argument that Cathcart and other
lawmakers rejected during a sometimes heated debate in the House.
"This is all about kids, it's not about doctor liability and shortage of
vaccines," said Cathcart, who rattled off a list of other states and
countries that have passed similar legislation.
The bill passed the House unanimously, even though lawmakers admitted that
the jury was still out on whether mercury in vaccines is linked to autism.
"I believe it's a step forward, and hopefully we'll learn more," said House
Speaker Terry Spence, R-Wilmington.
Within minutes of passing the House, the bill sailed through the state
Senate, with no debate.
"I know it's late, but the matter is urgent," said Senate sponsor Karen
Peterson, D-Wilmington.
Lujene G. Clark
President & Co-Founder
http://www.NoMercury.org
-
NoMercury is a
philanthropic based venture whose mission is to educate policy makers,
physicians and the public regarding the dangers associated with the use of
Thimerosal, a mercury containing preservative used in vaccines intended
for pregnant women, infants, children and senior citizens.
-
We do
not
solicit funds
nor do we accept donations. NoMercury does
not
endorse any products or services. It is a labor of love in honor of our
mercury poisoned child.
-
We have
not
filed a lawsuit against any vaccine manufacturer or physician. We have
not
filed a claim in the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.
-
We are
not
“anti-vaccine” rather we advocate
for safer vaccines.
|
|
|
