Is There Strong Evidence to Support That Any of the Ingredients of Vaccines Are Toxic in the Concentrations They Hold?

Evidence of toxicity in vaccine ingredients

Check out this answer from Consensus:

The evidence suggests that the ingredients in vaccines, such as aluminum and thimerosal, do not exhibit toxicity at the concentrations used in vaccines. While some studies have noted mild to moderate changes in animal models with high-frequency dosing, these findings do not translate to typical human vaccination schedules. Overall, vaccines remain a safe and effective tool in preventing infectious diseases, with their benefits far outweighing the potential risks associated with their ingredients.

Vaccines are crucial in preventing infectious diseases and have significantly reduced morbidity and mortality worldwide. However, concerns about the safety of vaccine ingredients, such as preservatives, adjuvants, and residual substances from the manufacturing process, persist among some parents and individuals. This article examines the evidence regarding the toxicity of these ingredients at the concentrations used in vaccines.

Aluminum in Vaccines

Aluminum is commonly used as an adjuvant in vaccines to enhance the immune response. A study utilizing the Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD) examined the cumulative aluminum exposure in children from vaccines. The study found that the mean cumulative aluminum exposure increased from 1.11 to 4.00 mg between ages 92-730 days, with up-to-date children exposed to 11-26% more aluminum than undervaccinated children. The study concluded that while it is feasible to study the safety of vaccine aluminum exposure, potential biological mechanisms and confounding variables must be considered1.

Thimerosal in Vaccines

Thimerosal, a preservative containing ethyl mercury (EtHg), has been a subject of concern due to its potential toxicity. A study investigated the toxicokinetics of mercury in adults who received repeated injections of a thimerosal-preserved vaccine. The results indicated that total mercury and EtHg levels in blood increased shortly after vaccination but returned to normal levels within a few weeks. The study concluded that mercury from thimerosal does not accumulate in the blood, aligning with the short half-lives and rapid metabolism of EtHg to inorganic mercury4.

Live Attenuated Oral Cholera Vaccine

A study evaluated the repeated dose toxicity of a cold chain-free, live, attenuated oral cholera vaccine in Sprague Dawley rats. The study administered the vaccine at three different concentrations daily for 30 days. No significant differences were observed in body weights and biochemical parameters compared to the control group. However, significant increases in organ-to-body weight ratios and mild to moderate histopathological changes were noted in the treated rats. These findings were attributed to the high frequency of dosing rather than the vaccine’s inherent toxicity2.

Recombinant Protective Antigen Anthrax Vaccine

A phase I trial assessed the safety and immunogenicity of a new recombinant protective antigen (rPA102) anthrax vaccine. The study involved healthy volunteers receiving various doses of rPA102 with aluminum hydroxide adjuvant. The results showed no clinically serious or dose-related toxicity or reactogenicity. The study concluded that the vaccine was well-tolerated, with no significant adverse effects observed3.

Is there strong evidence to support that any of the ingredients of vaccines are toxic in the concentrations they hold?

Roy A Dalmo has answered Unlikely

An expert from University of Tromsø in Vaccinology, Immunology

The vaccine manufacturers do not disclose what the vaccines are made of in full. But I think there are not much concerns. All vaccines induce inflammation which fades within weeks. After that you are protected.

Is there strong evidence to support that any of the ingredients of vaccines are toxic in the concentrations they hold?

Scott B Halstead has answered Extremely Unlikely

An expert from Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Infectious diseases

Thimersol is not toxic at the concentrations found in human vaccines.

Is there strong evidence to support that any of the ingredients of vaccines are toxic in the concentrations they hold?

Scott B Halstead has answered Extremely Unlikely

An expert from Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Infectious diseases

Thimersol is not toxic at the concentrations found in human vaccines.

Is there strong evidence to support that any of the ingredients of vaccines are toxic in the concentrations they hold?

Gabriela J Prutsky has answered Extremely Unlikely

An expert from Mayo Clinic in Pediatrics, Clinical Research

Actually the available evidence suggests that the ingredients in vaccines are safe. Side effects and adverse effects from vaccines are rare.

Is there strong evidence to support that any of the ingredients of vaccines are toxic in the concentrations they hold?

Kate Zinszer has answered Extremely Unlikely

An expert from Université de Montréal in Epidemiology, Infectious diseases

There are surveillance systems in place to monitor vaccine-related adverse events. The risks of adverse events greatly out weigh the benefits vaccines provide at the individual and community level. To ensure the safety of vaccines, Federal agencies in Canada, the US and worldwide routinely monitor and conduct research to examine any new evidence that would suggest possible problems with the safety of vaccines.

Is there strong evidence to support that any of the ingredients of vaccines are toxic in the concentrations they hold?

Constantinos Kyriakis has answered Extremely Unlikely

An expert from University of Georgia in Virology, Immunology, Veterinary Science

No there is no such evidence. Even the question is wrong. Thimerosal, which is not used any more, had very small quantities of Mercury. Mercury as an element was never used in vaccines.