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EPA estimates that one in every sixwomen has levels of mercury in their

bodies that could cause harm to theirunborn children.

It is inconsistent and unwise to counselpregnant women to avoid seafood, whichcontains mercury, while recommendingvaccines containing mercury.

Mercury rapidly crosses the placenta and

accumulates in the fetus at even higherlevels than the mother.

Scientific studies have documented thatthe mercury used in vaccines enters intothe brain and can interrupt critical stagesof brain development.

Thimerosal containing flu vaccinescontain 250 times above the levelsidentified as a hazardous waste. Unusedflu vaccine should be returned to themanufacturer for appropriate disposal.

A 2006 review published in the Lancetfound that a placebo was as effective asflu vaccine in children under two. Simple

techniques, such as avoiding those withflu-like illnesses and good hand washingcan prevent many cases of the flu.

KNOW THE FACTS

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The Coalition for SafeMinds (Sensible Action for

Ending Mercury-Induced NeurologicalDisorders) mission is to end the harm to human

health from early life exposures to manmade

sources of mercury, the second most toxic

substance on earth. Our mission will be

achieved through research, increased

awareness and advocacy.

SafeMinds is the largest private charitable

non-profit organization funding groundbreaking

research on mercury and autism. Since its

inception in 2000, SafeMinds has funded almost

one million dollars in research. For more

information please visit www.safeminds.org.

ABOUT SAFEMINDS

16033 Bolsa Chica St. #104-142Huntington Beach, CA 92649

Phone: 404-934-0777Fax: 770 631-9272

Website: www.safeminds.org

F L U V A C C I N E Swhat you need to know

You want to do everything right for your child,and would never knowingly allow someone

to inject a neurotoxin into your infant.

Before getting a flu shot, you needto know this:

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IF YOU ARE PREGNANT OR

HAVE SMALL CHILDREN . . .

Look at the evidence and decide if you consider theinfluenza virus a threat to your family.

If you decide to vaccinate, request mercury-free

influenza vaccines for yourself and your children. Do not combine the flu vaccine with other vaccines.

If you are not able to get mercury-free flu vaccines,reconsider your choice.

WHAT IS THIMEROSAL?

Thimerosal contains ethyl-mercury, a documented anddangerous neurotoxin. It is used as an inexpensivepreservative in vaccines. Developed in the 1930s andmarketed by Eli Lilly, thimerosal has never been testedusing modern safety standards.

In 1982 an expert FDA panel found thimerosal to betoxic and caused cell death. In 2001 the Institute ofMedicine recommended that government agenciesgive full consideration to removing thimerosal from allvaccines administered to infants, children or pregnantwomen."

In addition, a 2005 study funded by the NIH found thatethyl mercury used in vaccines crosses into the brainof infant primates, resulting in appreciable levels ofmercury being trapped in the brain.

Contact your health care provider well in advance to

request a mercury-free influenza vaccine this season.Mercury-free influenza vaccine - 2008/2009:

FluMist MedImmune: approved for children 2years and older, mercury-free

Fluarix GlaxoSmithKline: mercury-free

Fluzone- Sanofi Pasteur: request pre-filled

syringe, mercury-free versionMercury containinginfluenza vaccines - 2008/2009:

FluLaval - GlaxoSmithKline: 25 mcg of mercury

Fluvirin

Chiron: 25 mcg of mercuryFluzone Sanofi Pasteur: multi-dose 5 mL vial,25 mcg of mercury

GET ALL THE FACTS!

All vaccines may pose some risk, with or withoutmercury content. However, the influenza vaccineis of great concern, as much of what is availablecontains high levels of mercury. SafeMindsrecommends that consumers read package

inserts for any vaccine prior to immunization.

All influenza vaccines offered this season areclassified by the FDA as Category C, whichmeans either studies in animals have revealedadverse effects on the fetus and there are no con-trolled studies in women, or studies in women andanimals are not available. Below is informationfrom package inserts for three commonly usedinfluenza vaccines.

FLUARIX - GLAXOSMITHKLINE: Thisvaccine has not been evaluated for carcinogenicand mutagenic potential, or for impairment offertility. Animal reproduction studies have notbeen conducted and it is not known whetherFLUARIX can cause fetal harm whenadministered to a pregnant woman or affectsreproduction capacity. FLUARIX should begiven to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.

FLUZONE - SANOFI-AVENTIS: Animalreproduction studies have not been conductedand it is not known whether FLUZONE cancause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant

woman or affects reproduction capacity.FLUZONE should be given to a pregnantwoman only if clearly needed.

FLUVIRIN - CHIRON: Controlled studies havenot been conducted to demonstrate safety inpregnant women. The clinical judgment of theattending physician should prevail at all times indetermining whether to administer the vaccine toa pregnant woman. Animal reproduction studieshave not been conducted and it is not knownwhether FLUVIRIN can cause fetal harm when

administered to a pregnant woman, or affectsreproduction capacity. FLUVIRIN should begiven to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.

ISAFEMINDS ALERT: FLU VACCINES - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

In March of 2001, the Food & Drug Administra-tion (FDA) issued a statement warning pregnantwomen and young children not to eat fishcontaining high levels of mercury because itcauses neurological problems in children.

Yet, the Centers for Disease Control andPrevention (CDC) now recommends that thesesame women and young children (ages 6 to 59months) should get influenza vaccines. Manyinfluenza vaccines contain mercury, from thepreservative thimerosal, in amounts greater thanthe EPA recommended safe levels.

SafeMinds is deeply concerned that the risks ofmercury-containing influenza vaccines outweighthe benefits for pregnant women, infants and

children. Mercury is known to be highly toxic tobrain tissue and can interrupt critical stages ofbrain development.

A large-scale scientific study in approximately50,000 pregnant women and their infants overfive flu seasons found no difference in the risk fordeveloping influenza illness among those whoreceived the influenza vaccine during pregnancyand those who did not receive the vaccine.

Reviews in the medical journal The Lancet founda lack of health benefit of influenza vaccine forchildren under 2 and significantly increased ratesof vaccine related adverse events in children.

Today, some vaccines, like the influenzavaccine, contain as much as 25 micrograms ofmercury, over 10 times the safe limit for an infantand roughly 2 times over the safe limit for adults.All vaccines on the immunization schedule areavailable in mercury-free, or mercury reduced,versions.