SAN JOSE, Calif., Nov. 1 (UPI) -- Standard flu shots are scarce these days, but finding vaccines that don't contain a controversial mercury-based ingredient are also in short supply.
Monday's San Jose Mercury-News said many health experts agree there is not enough flu vaccine without the preservative thimerosal and that might force some eligible patients to endure a dose of mercury this year.
Some parents and health activists believe thimerosal can cause autism and other health problems that have symptoms similar to mercury toxicity. They say those parents face the dilemma of protecting their children from the flu, but, at the same time, exposing their systems to a potent toxin.
Flu vaccines are one of the few drugs that still contain thimerosal because the compound works well in cleaning and preserving multi-dose vaccine vials.
Most health officials say the health risks from foregoing vaccinations outweigh the potential damage caused by mercury.
