Claims on vaccines muddy important issue

Mercury is used in vaccines, and there is no safe level of mercury. — Mike Adams on Feb. 10 in a story making the rounds on social media

With a measles outbreak sprouting in 14 states, and Georgia reporting its first case in almost three years, vaccine opponents are reviving claims about the dangers of vaccines against the disease in newsfeeds across the country.

An alert reader was skeptical of one Facebook post, reviving a 2012 story that purports to list “10 outrageous (but true) facts.”

It starts with the claim that helped spur the anti-vaccination movement, despite being repeatedly debunked: Childhood shots contain mercury, a powerful neurotoxin with no safe level of use.

There has been debate in the scientific community about removing a mercury compound from some vaccines. But the science has always been clear that there is no evidence that compound causes harm.

Bluntly, vaccines help, not hurt.

And if you still don’t believe that? Consider that the recipe in question — that is, the series of shots recommended for childhood immunization — does not include the ingredient singled out as the problem.

Any claims to the contrary muddy what should be a simple issue.

We rated the claim by Adams Pants On Fire.

BEN GRAY / BGRAY@AJC.COM Vials of measles, mumps and rubella vaccine sit in a freezer at Intown Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine.