Rebecca - how come 2 people on here are saying that "you can't get the flu vaccine with the thimersol preservative because it is mercury, and they use this with multi dose vials, and it gets into your brain?
And there are heavy metals in flu vaccines?
Is this all true? What do you think? It is all very upsetting to me, thanks Starlily88
I can understand your anxiety! I will start out with the disclaimer that I am definitely not an expert on this topic.
There is a small amount of an ethylmercury-based preservative called thimerosal in multi-dose vials of the flu vaccine. This is because with a multi-dose vial multiple syringes are being filled from the same vial. Even though each needle is sterile, there is a small chance that bacteria could be introduced into the vial. So thimerosal is added to prevent bacteria from growing. I remember reading somewhere that the total amount in the entire multi-dose vial is roughly the same amount that would be in a can of tuna fish (but I don't remember where I read this, so don't quote me).
However, the type of mercury in thimerosal (ethylmercury) has a different chemical makeup than methylmercury, which is the type of mercury that you might be exposed to when eating fish. While methylmercury can stay in the body for a long time and build up to levels that might cause harm, our body can break down ethylmercury (the one in the vaccine) much more easily, and it is usually cleared from the body within a week.
So there is a very small amount of mercury in vaccines, but it shouldn't stay in the body for very long. Although most scientific studies have not linked thimerosal in the flu vaccine to problems beyond just pain and swelling at the injection site, there are some people who are still anxious about it.
The good news is that it if being exposed to thimerosal does cause you concern it is possible to get a preservative-free flu vaccine. These come in either pre-filled syringes or single-dose vials, so there's no danger of bacteria being introduced into the liquid. If you want a preservative-free vaccine it's a good idea to call ahead before going in and see if the pharmacy or doctor's office has them--sometimes they don't have them on hand but they're usually willing to order them for you.
Like I said in my original post, people here seem to have a wide range of reactions to the flu shot. A lot of us seem to be able to get it with no problems, while other people seem to react more strongly. Personally, I do think that it's important to get it this year. On the other hand, I wonder if all of the precautions we're taking due to covid (masks, handwashing, social distancing) might make the flu circulate a little less. I know that since I won't be in a classroom full of children this winter I will be getting much less potential exposure! So if people don't get the vaccine but are strict about following all of the covid precautions, I think that might also reduce the risk of getting the flu.
