Infants' exposure to aluminum from vaccines and breast milk during the first 6 months

Abstract

The success of vaccination programs in reducing and eliminating infectious diseases has contributed to an ever-increasing number of vaccines given at earlier ages (newborns and infants). Exposure to low levels of environmental toxic substances (including metals) at an early age raises plausible concerns over increasingly lower neuro-cognitive rates. Current immunization schedules with vaccines containing aluminum (as adjuvant) are given to infants, but thimerosal (as preservative) is found mostly in vaccines used in non-industrialized countries. Exclusively, breastfed infants (in Brazil) receiving a full recommended schedule of immunizations showed an exceedingly high exposure of Al (225 to 1750 mg per dose) when compared with estimated levels absorbed from breast milk (2.0 mg). This study does not dispute the safety of vaccines but reinforces the need to study long-term effects of early exposure to neuro-toxic substances on the developing brain. Pragmatic vaccine safety needs to embrace conventional toxicology, addressing especial characteristics of unborn fetuses, neonates and infants exposed to low levels of aluminum, and ethylmercury traditionally considered innocuous to the central nervous system.

Neurodevelopment of Amazonian Infants: Antenatal and Postnatal Exposure to Methyl- and Ethylmercury

“…Breastfeeding is known to modulate neurobehavior [22] and also to counteract negative effects of maternal exposure to neurotoxic substances [23]. TCV is the only source of EtHg which is a relevant neurotoxic per se and, in the case of vaccines, because of its obligatory association with adjuvant-Al salts [15], it actually represents a combination of thimerosal and aluminum salts sufficiently defined (and constant) for it to be treated as a unit here.…”

“…However, not only do other neurotoxicants reach the Amazonian aquatic food web, but there is also iatrogenic exposure to ethylmercury (EtHg) in thimerosal-containing vaccines (TCVs) which are the norm in Brazil's successful immunization program [13]. Despite early-life exposures to preservative (thimerosal) and adjuvant (aluminum) in TCV given to pregnant mothers and babies [14, 15], studies assessing the neurological status of Amazonian children have only considered fish-MeHg [16], missing differences in TCV-EtHg exposure [17]. …”

Systematic review of potential health risks posed by pharmaceutical, occupational and consumer exposures to metallic and nanoscale aluminum, aluminum oxides, aluminum hydroxide and its soluble salts

“…These concerns were highlighted by Dorea and Marques (2010) who reported that infants receiving immunizations were given 225–1750 μg Al per injection. On the other hand, Nøkleby (2007) and Mitkus et al (2011) concluded that the risk of adverse effects including neurotoxicity posed by Al adjuvants received during childhood vaccinations was “low” and Ehrlich et al (2008) observed only increased complaints of headache.…”

Integrating Experimental (In Vitro and In Vivo) Neurotoxicity Studies of Low-dose Thimerosal Relevant to Vaccines

“…It is worth noting that most TCVs are also adjuvanted with aluminium compounds [64]. Aluminium is a neurotoxic element of significance for infants' exposure [64,65] but the binary mixture in TCVs has not yet been fully addressed.…”

“…It is worth noting that most TCVs are also adjuvanted with aluminium compounds [64]. Aluminium is a neurotoxic element of significance for infants' exposure [64,65] but the binary mixture in TCVs has not yet been fully addressed. Nevertheless, it is worth mentioning that the brain of adult mice can accumulate substantial amounts of Al derived from vaccines [66].…”