U.S. Vaccine Manufacturers' Statement on Thimerosal
Contact: Isabelle Claxton of Merck, 215-652-5558;
Stephen Keith, M.D, MSPH, of North American Vaccines, 410-309-7200;
Richard Koenig of SmithKline Beecham, 215-751-3415;
Len Lavenda of Pasteur Merieux Connaught, 570-839-4446; or
Doug Petkus of Wyeth-Lederle Vaccines, 610-971-4980;
Web site: http://www.phrma.org
WASHINGTON, July 8 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The following statement was released today through the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA):
America's vaccine manufacturers are committed to producing safe and effective vaccines that can prevent and eventually eradicate deadly childhood diseases. The industry cooperates with U.S. public health authorities and the health care community in an ongoing effort to monitor the safety and effectiveness of vaccines approved for inclusion in the national immunization program. A recent result of this ongoing quality review is an analysis of thimerosal, a mercury-containing preservative that is widely used in vaccines globally.
Thimerosal is approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and currently is present in more than 30 licensed vaccines. Vaccines containing the preservative have been administered to billions of children and adults worldwide, with no scientific or medical data to suggest that it poses a public health risk.
While there is no clinical evidence that the use of thimerosal has caused adverse health consequences, there has been some discussion of its inclusion as a preservative in vaccines. Consequently, there is general consensus that it would be preferable to eliminate thimerosal from vaccines whenever possible. The vaccine industry is working closely with FDA and other government agencies to meet this objective.
Routine childhood immunization programs in the U.S. have been a highly successful and integral part of the U.S. healthcare system for over 40 years and have made possible the eradication and control of deadly diseases such as smallpox and polio. The vaccine manufacturers of the U.S. have pioneered many of the discoveries leading to important new vaccines to protect the nation's children. U.S. vaccine manufacturers have been and will continue to be committed to producing the safest and highest quality products possible and to working with physicians and public health authorities to protect children and adults from infectious diseases.
For more information, contact:
Isabelle Claxton, Merck (215) 652-5558
Stephen Keith, MD, MSPH, North American Vaccines (410) 309-7200 Richard Koenig, SmithKline Beecham (215) 751-3415
Len Lavenda, Pasteur Merieux Connaught (570) 839-4446
Doug Petkus, Wyeth-Lederle Vaccines (610) 971-4980
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The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) represents the country's leading research-based pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, which are devoted to inventing medicines that allow patients to lead longer, happier, healthier and more productive lives. Investing $24 billion annually in discovering and developing new medicines, PhRMA companies are leading the way in the search for cures. PhRMA Internet Address: http://www.phrma.org
-0- /U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770/ 07/08 08:58
Copyright 1999, U.S. Newswire
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