Barregard, Lars, Rekić, Dinko, Horvat, Milena et al. · Toxicological sciences : an official journal of the Society of Toxicology · 2011 · DOI
This study looked at whether mercury from a vaccine preservative (thimerosal) builds up in the blood of adults receiving repeated vaccine injections over weeks. Researchers found that while mercury levels briefly increased 1 day after each injection, they returned to normal within a few weeks and did not accumulate over time. The mercury was cleared from the body relatively quickly, similar to how the body handles other forms of mercury.
Many ME/CFS patients have concerns about vaccine safety and possible mercury toxicity from thimerosal-containing vaccines, particularly if receiving repeated doses. This study provides evidence that ethyl mercury from thimerosal does not accumulate in blood during repeated vaccine exposure, addressing a specific safety concern relevant to patients considering or receiving vaccine treatment protocols.
This study does not establish whether thimerosal exposure affects other tissues (brain, organs), nor does it prove safety in all populations (men, children, people with specific genetic sensitivities, or those with methylation abnormalities). The small sample size and observational design limit generalizability, and the study was conducted in the context of an experimental vaccine trial for ME/CFS rather than standard vaccination schedules.
About the PEM badge: “PEM required” means post-exertional malaise was an explicit required diagnostic criterion for participant inclusion in this study — not that PEM was studied, observed, or discussed. Studies using criteria that do not require PEM (e.g. Fukuda, Oxford) are tagged “PEM not required”. How the atlas works →
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