Immunization Safety Review: Thimerosal-Containing Vaccines and Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Excerpt

In this report, the Immunization Safety Review committee examines the hypothesis of whether or not the use of vaccines containing the preservative thimerosal can cause neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), specifically autism, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and speech or language delay. Autism is a complex, severe developmental disorder characterized by impairments of social interaction, communication, and behavior. ADHD is a behavioral disorder characterized by persistent patterns of inattention and/or hyperactivity. Speech or language delay refers to several disorders characterized by significant impairments in vocabulary and difficulty in forming sentences, comprehending words or sentences, or forming age-appropriate speech sounds.