copenlu/druid huggingface dataset:
Claim: “Autism is nothing more than mercury toxicity“; vaccine ingredients are toxic (Rashid Buttar, 2020-04-30)
Evidence (2017-08-01): NARRATOR: Vaccine critics questioned not only MMR but the many ingredients in vaccines. These historically have included aluminum, formaldehyde, formalin, yeast protein and a mercury-based preservative called thimerosal used in multi-dose vaccines. One very influential critic is environmental lawyer Robert Kennedy, Jr. [...] Dr. ERIC FOMBONNE: So the mercury hypothesis had more plausibility than that for MMR because of the nature of mercury, which is known to be a neurotoxicant. But mercury poisoning does not resemble autism at all. The fact that mercury is a toxicant is not sufficient to claim that the mercury contained in vaccines can lead to autism. So it was critical therefore to follow this hypothesis with properly conducted epidemiological studies. [...] NARRATOR: Other studies in the U.S., the U.K. and Canada also found no association between autism and thimerosal. In 2004, the Institute of Medicine carried out its own analysis of the research and concluded, "The body of epidemiological evidence favors rejection of a causal relationship between the MMR vaccine and autism and also between thimerosal-containing vaccines and autism."
Claim: “Autism is nothing more than mercury toxicity“; vaccine ingredients are toxic (Rashid Buttar, 2020-04-30)
Evidence (2010-09-15): Gerber JS, Offit PA. Vaccines and autism: a tale of shifting hypotheses. Clin Infect Dis. 2009;48(4):456–461. [...] Bob: This article reviews the three most commonly proposed hypotheses for vaccine-induced development of autism: (1) the MMR vaccine damages the intestinal lining, allowing the entrance of encephalopathic proteins; (2) thimerosal induces central nervous system toxicity; and (3) multiple vaccinations overwhelm and weaken the immune system. This article looks at the genesis of each theory and the data that debunk them.2 [...] Bob: Let's briefly look at the second hypothesis of thimerosal-induced neurotoxicity. Thimerosal is an antibacterial agent that has been used in multidose vaccine preparations for more than 50 years. It is 50 percent ethyl mercury by weight. However, mercury poisoning has a distinctly different presentation than autism. The CDC has also demonstrated that the mercury in vaccines has not resulted in any subtle signs or symptoms of mercury poisoning.10 The authors of this month's article review seven large-scale studies—again, ecologic, retrospective, and prospective studies—all demonstrating no association between thimerosal and autism.2
Claim: “Autism is nothing more than mercury toxicity“; vaccine ingredients are toxic (Rashid Buttar, 2020-04-30)
Evidence (2024-03-23): For the most part, vaccines combine the following types of ingredients: Antigens to help your body build immunityStabilizers and other ingredients to help vaccines stay safe and effective for a long timeIngredients, like aluminum salt, to help your body respond to the vaccine But they also contain (or previously contained) some ingredients that worry parents. One of those ingredients was thimerosal, a preservative containing ethylmercury (a type of mercury cleared from the body more readily than methylmercury, the kind of mercury found in fish). Vaccine Schedule for Babies and Toddlers Why Are People Concerned About Mercury in Vaccines? Parents have had many fears about mercury in vaccines, from a concern that mercury exposure could lead to learning disabilities to immune system and organ damage, to nervous system problems. Learning disabilities Fears about mercury stemmed from research showing that exposure to high doses can cause learning disabilities and damage the brain. This is why mercury is often blamed by those who suggest a connection between vaccines and autism. However, older studies published a few years after thimerosal was removed from vaccines found the opposite to be true. [...] Pediatrics. 2003. Thimerosal-containing vaccines and autism: a review of recent epidemiologic studies. J Pediatr Pharmacol Ther. 2010. Science summary: CDC studies on thimerosal in vaccines. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. n.d. Institute of Medicine (US) Immunization Safety Review Committee. Immunization Safety Review: Vaccines and Autism. 2004. World Health Organization. 2023.
Claim: “Autism is nothing more than mercury toxicity“; vaccine ingredients are toxic (Rashid Buttar, 2020-04-30)
Evidence (2024-08-06): July 7. CDC issues a statement on autism and thimerosal that states in part: "Some people believe increased exposure to thimerosal (from the addition of important vaccines recommended for children) explains the higher prevalence [of autism] in recent years. However, evidence from several studies examining trends in vaccine use and changes in autism frequency does not support such an association." [...] May 17. After reviewing over 200 scientific studies that examined thimerosal-containing vaccines and autism, IOM concludes in a report that the studies "consistently provided evidence of no association between thimerosal-containing vaccines and autism." [...] - Stehr-Green, P., Tull, P., Stellfeld, M., Mortenson, P. B., & Simpson, D. (2003). Autism and thimerosal-containing vaccines: lack of consistent evidence for an association. American journal of preventive medicine, 25(2), 101–106. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0749-3797(03)00113-2 - Ball, L. K., Ball, R., & Pratt, R. D. (2001). An assessment of thimerosal use in childhood vaccines. Pediatrics, 107(5), 1147–1154. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.107.5.1147
Claim: “Autism is nothing more than mercury toxicity“; vaccine ingredients are toxic (Rashid Buttar, 2020-04-30)
Evidence (2023-11-07): Vaccine ingredients, including the preservative thimerosal, do not cause autism. Ingredients in vaccines currently routinely recommended to the general population in the U.S.* have not been shown to cause any other adverse events. [...] Other vaccine ingredients including preservatives, adjuvants, or manufacturing residuals, can sound scary to the general public, especially when they are poorly understood. This has caused some understandable, albeit unfounded, concerns regarding the safety of these ingredients. Examples of this are aluminum and formaldehyde, which are known toxins for humans when consumed in large quantities. However, one must always keep the dosage in mind, as a great many things can be toxic with a high enough exposure. In the case of these vaccine ingredients, they present no danger in the miniscule quantities in which they are used in vaccines (which is typically much less than is found naturally in the body, common food or the environment), and serve only to stabilize the vaccine or enhance the immune response 4. More information is available on the FDA website (link). A full list of components by vaccine can be found on our Components page. [...] 11. Parker SK, Schwartz B, Todd J, Pickering LK. Thimerosal-containing vaccines and autistic spectrum disorder: a critical review of published original data. Pediatrics 2004; 114(3): 793-804.
Claim: “Autism is nothing more than mercury toxicity“; vaccine ingredients are toxic (Rashid Buttar, 2020-04-30)
Evidence (2018-07-24): Authors of a meta-analysis review of 10 studies (5 cohort and 5 case-control involving over 1.25 million children looked at autism spectrum disorders (ASD), vaccines, the ingredient thimerosal (mercury) and the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. No causal association was found between vaccinations and ASD or between ASD and the MMR vaccine, specifically. In addition, no causal association was found between ASD and thimerosal (mercury). [...] Thimerosal and the Occurrence of Autism: Negative Ecological Evidence From Danish Population-Based Data [...] Autism and Thimerosal-Containing Vaccines: Lack of Consistent Evidence for an Association
Claim: “Autism is nothing more than mercury toxicity“; vaccine ingredients are toxic (Rashid Buttar, 2020-04-30)
Evidence (2022-01-19): Vaccine ingredients can look unfamiliar. However, it is important to remember that many of the substances used in vaccines are found naturally in the body. For example, many vaccines contain salts based on sodium and potassium (see the section on 'Acidity regulators'), which are essential for life. People may think of formaldehyde as a man-made chemical, but in small quantities, it is also found naturally in the bloodstream. All vaccine ingredients are present in very small quantities, and there is no evidence that they cause harm in these amounts. The exception to this is the small number of people who may be severely allergic to a vaccine ingredient, even if it is present only in trace amounts (for example, egg proteins or antibiotics used in vaccine manufacture). If you look up some vaccine ingredients on the internet you may read that they could be harmful, but most of them are present in vaccines in amounts that are completely normal for our bodies. Even common salt (sodium chloride), which is essential for the normal functioning of the body, is harmful in large quantities.
Claim: “Autism is nothing more than mercury toxicity“; vaccine ingredients are toxic (Rashid Buttar, 2020-04-30)
Evidence (2003-05-21): Department of Health and Human Services reluctance to accept that all forms of mercury are toxic and that children have likely been harmed from the FDA's negligence in assuring the safety of thimerosal and in not monitoring the increased exposure to mercury through vaccines. [...] ``You know, I still go back to the fact--I still want to talk about the duck test. Mr. Egan, [FDA] I will address this to you. You know, it was shown in the last panel that autistic symptoms emerge after vaccination. It was shown that vaccines contain toxic doses of mercury. It was shown that autism and mercury poisoning, the physiological comparison is striking. There is altered neurotransmitter activity, abnormal brain neuronal organization, immune system disturbance, EEG abnormalities. It goes on and on and on, the comparisons. That is why I say, I back up what the Chairman and the ranking member are all asking you, that we cannot wait until 2001 to have this pulled off. [...] A growing number of researchers and medical professionals believe that there may be a link between the mercury preservative used in vaccines and autism spectrum disorders and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Few, if any, would make such a statement categorically until more research is done. However, judging by testimony received by the
Claim: “Autism is nothing more than mercury toxicity“; vaccine ingredients are toxic (Rashid Buttar, 2020-04-30)
Evidence (2024-02-01): Thimerosal has been used since the 1930s to prevent bacterial growth in medical solutions, so we have almost 100 years of information on its toxicity.[10] Nevertheless, thimerosal became the next target of anti-vaccine groups looking to link vaccines to autism in the late 1990s and early 2000s. They raised concerns about the potential neurotoxic effects of mercury exposure from thimerosal-containing vaccines (TCVs) and a possible link to autism spectrum disorders (ASD). [...] 13. Hviid A, Stellfeld M, Wohlfahrt J, Melbye M. Association between thimerosal-containing vaccine and autism. JAMA. 2003;290(13):1763-1766. doi:10.1001/jama.290.13.1763 14. Stehr-Green P, Tull P, Stellfeld M, Mortenson PB, Simpson D. Autism and thimerosal-containing vaccines: lack of consistent evidence for an association. Am J Prev Med. 2003;25(2):101-106. doi:10.1016/s0749-3797(03)00113-2 15. Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Vaccine Ingredients – Thimerosal. [Internet]. Philadelphia, PA: Children's Hospital of Philadelphia; [updated 2020 Jun 1; cited 2024 Jan 29]. Available from: .
Claim: “Autism is nothing more than mercury toxicity“; vaccine ingredients are toxic (Rashid Buttar, 2020-04-30)
Evidence (2023-11-21): Some parents are concerned about ingredients contained in vaccines, specifically aluminium, mercury, gelatine and antibiotics. However, parents can be reassured that ingredients in vaccines are minuscule and necessary. [...] The most common preservative used was thiomersal, a mercury-containing compound. As more vaccines were given, children received greater quantities of thiomersal. By the late 1990s, the American Academy of Paediatrics and the Public Health Service requested that mercury be removed from vaccines to make ‘safe vaccines safer’. No evidence existed to suggest that thiomersal was causing harm, but they wanted to be cautious. Unfortunately, their caution worried parents who wondered whether mercury in vaccines was causing subtle signs of mercury poisoning or autism. Addressing these concerns, scientists performed several studies, all of which showed that thiomersal at the level contained in vaccines hadn’t caused harm. Further, because mercury is a naturally occurring element found in the earth’s crust, air, soil and water, we are all exposed to it. In fact, infants who are exclusively breast fed ingest more than twice the quantity of mercury than was contained in vaccines. [...] In addition to gelatin, other ingredients in vaccines such as egg proteins and antibiotics might cause an allergic reaction. Because the influenza and yellow fever vaccines are grown in eggs, the final products contain sufficient quantities of egg proteins to cause an allergic reaction, albeit rarely, in people allergic to eggs.
Claim: “Autism is nothing more than mercury toxicity“; vaccine ingredients are toxic (Rashid Buttar, 2020-04-30)
Evidence (2018-01-02): No Link between Thimerosal in Vaccines and Autism [...] Hviid A, Stellfeld M, Wohlfahrt J, Melbye M. Association between thimerosal-containing vaccine and autism. JAMA. 2003;290:1763–6. [...] Price C. et al. (2010) Prenatal and Infant Exposure to Thimerosal from Vaccines and Immunoglobulins and Risk of Autism. Pediatrics. 126: 656-664.
Claim: Study in Italy shows nearly 1 in 3 COVID vaccine recipients have neurological side effects, indicating an “unacceptable” safety profile (Peter McCullough, Naveen Athrappully, 2023-08-11)
Evidence (2023-08-11): Some of the most common side effects following COVID-19 vaccination resemble flu symptoms. These include headache and fatigue. However, these side effects are relatively short-lived and aren’t associated with long-term repercussions. Getting COVID-19 is known to increase the risk of potentially serious medical problems. For example, studies have reported an elevated risk of developing blood clotting disorders and cardiovascular problems. While COVID-19 vaccination does carry risks as well, they significantly reduce the risk of severe disease and death. On balance, their benefits outweigh their risks.
Claim: Study in Italy shows nearly 1 in 3 COVID vaccine recipients have neurological side effects, indicating an “unacceptable” safety profile (Peter McCullough, Naveen Athrappully, 2023-08-11)
Evidence (2023-10-21): NEURO-COVAX: An Italian Population-Based Study of Neurological Complications after COVID-19 Vaccinations - PMID: 37897023 - PMCID: PMC10610846 - DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11101621 [...] Safety of COVID-19 Vaccines: Spotlight on Neurological Complications.Life (Basel). 2022 Aug 29;12(9):1338. doi: 10.3390/life12091338. Life (Basel). 2022. PMID: 36143376 Free PMC article. Review.
Claim: Study in Italy shows nearly 1 in 3 COVID vaccine recipients have neurological side effects, indicating an “unacceptable” safety profile (Peter McCullough, Naveen Athrappully, 2023-08-11)
Evidence (2022-12-07): The review, a collaboration of independent, international experts, also found there was little or no difference between the number of people experiencing serious side effects after vaccination compared to those who were unvaccinated. The researchers, led by Isabelle Boutron, Professor of Epidemiology at Université Paris Cité and Director of Cochrane France, analysed published data from 41 randomised controlled trials of 12 different COVID-19 vaccines, involving 433,838 people in various countries around the world. They assessed the certainty of the evidence and the risk of bias in the different studies. [...] For most of the vaccines investigated, more people who had been vaccinated reported localised or temporary side effects compared to those who had no treatment or placebo. These included tiredness, headache, muscle pains, chills, fever and nausea. With respect to the very rare side effects associated with some vaccines such as thrombosis, the team found that the reporting of these events was inconsistent, and the number of events reported in the trials was very low.
Claim: Study in Italy shows nearly 1 in 3 COVID vaccine recipients have neurological side effects, indicating an “unacceptable” safety profile (Peter McCullough, Naveen Athrappully, 2023-08-11)
Evidence (2021-02-04): Study reveals extent of Covid vaccine side-effects - Published - comments About one in three people recently given a Covid vaccine by the NHS report some side-effects. [...] How do we know Covid vaccines are safe?
Claim: Study in Italy shows nearly 1 in 3 COVID vaccine recipients have neurological side effects, indicating an “unacceptable” safety profile (Peter McCullough, Naveen Athrappully, 2023-08-11)
Evidence (2022-11-03): Understanding the impact of these factors, namely the emergence of variants and waning immunity, in relation to the success of vaccination programmes is of paramount importance. Post authorization analyses meet the urgent need to evaluate the magnitude and sources of changes in the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines implemented through different vaccination strategies and across diverse populations with a wide range of coexisting conditions. Ultimately with the aim to develop vaccine recommendations and inform public health policy. In this study, we assessed the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccination programme implemented in the Apulia region of Italy in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infections, COVID-19-related hospital admissions and deaths. It has been almost two years since mass vaccination campaigns using newly approved vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 started in the Apulia region. The availability of vaccination data from nearly four million people over almost two years of vaccination programme allows a comprehensive narrative about its effects on COVID-19 related outcomes. [...] Adjusted vaccine effectiveness (estimates of COX models) of the vaccination programme against COVID-19 (a) infection, (b) hospitalisation, (c) death*, by age group and time since full vaccination. Apulia region, Italy, Jan 1–Dec, 2021. *Missing estimates due to limited follow-up time and/or events. [...] Adjusted vaccine effectiveness (estimates of COX models) of the vaccination programme against COVID-19 (a) infection, (b) hospitalisation, (c) death, by vaccination status and variant. Apulia region, Italy, Jan 1–Dec, 2021.
Claim: Study in Italy shows nearly 1 in 3 COVID vaccine recipients have neurological side effects, indicating an “unacceptable” safety profile (Peter McCullough, Naveen Athrappully, 2023-08-11)
Evidence (2022-04-22): Effectiveness of COVID-19 Vaccines in the General Population of an Italian Region before and during the Omicron Wave - PMID: 35632418 - PMCID: PMC9146679 - DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10050662 [...] COVID-19 Vaccination Effectiveness in the General Population of an Italian Province: Two Years of Follow-Up.Vaccines (Basel). 2023 Aug 4;11(8):1325. doi: 10.3390/vaccines11081325. Vaccines (Basel). 2023. PMID: 37631893 Free PMC article.
Claim: Study in Italy shows nearly 1 in 3 COVID vaccine recipients have neurological side effects, indicating an “unacceptable” safety profile (Peter McCullough, Naveen Athrappully, 2023-08-11)
Evidence (2024-02-26): Covid-19: Two rare vaccine side effects detected in large global study BMJ 2024; 384 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.q488 (Published 26 February 2024) Cite this as: BMJ 2024;384:q488The largest vaccine safety study to date has identified two new, but very rare, side effects associated with covid-19 vaccines—transverse myelitis and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis. [...] The Global Covid Vaccine Safety Project is funded by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to allow the comparison of the safety of vaccines across diverse global populations.
Claim: Study in Italy shows nearly 1 in 3 COVID vaccine recipients have neurological side effects, indicating an “unacceptable” safety profile (Peter McCullough, Naveen Athrappully, 2023-08-11)
Evidence (2024-02-29): An international study of around 99 million people confirmed known serious side effects of COVID-19 vaccination. It also identified a possible relationship between the first dose of the Moderna vaccine and a small risk of a neurological condition. Social media posts about the study left out information on the vaccines’ benefits and the rarity of the side effects. [...] TheBlaze. "Blood clots, neurological disorders, and swollen hearts: Multinational study on COVID vaccines paints a damning picture." Facebook. 20 Feb 2024. [...] Frontera, Jennifer A. et al. "Neurological Events Reported after COVID-19 Vaccines: An Analysis of VAERS." Annals of Neurology. 2 Mar 2022.
Claim: Study in Italy shows nearly 1 in 3 COVID vaccine recipients have neurological side effects, indicating an “unacceptable” safety profile (Peter McCullough, Naveen Athrappully, 2023-08-11)
Evidence (2021-10-25): In summary, although we find an increased risk of neurological complications in those who received COVID-19 vaccines, the risk of these complications is greater following a positive SARS-CoV-2 test. [...] Since the start of large-scale vaccine programs across the world, additional case reports have linked other neurological adverse events to COVID-19 vaccination, including Guillain–Barré syndrome9,10,11. Furthermore, surveillance studies have found a possible link between severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and neurological events, including Guillain–Barré syndrome and myelitis12,13. However, case reports and surveillance studies are limited by small numbers, as well as potential selection and recording biases. Therefore, detailed assessments of potential neurological adverse events associated with COVID-19 vaccines and infection are urgently needed.
Claim: Study in Italy shows nearly 1 in 3 COVID vaccine recipients have neurological side effects, indicating an “unacceptable” safety profile (Peter McCullough, Naveen Athrappully, 2023-08-11)
Evidence (2022-02-10): Members of the Italian Integrated Surveillance of covid-19 study group and of the covid-19 Vaccines Registry group: Antonino Bella, Alberto Mateo Urdiales, Martina Del Manso, Massimo Fabiani, Matteo Spuri, Chiara Sacco, Stefano Boros, Maria Cristina Rota, Antonietta Filia, Marco Bressi, Maria Fenicia Vescio, Daniele Petrone, Marco Tallon, Corrado Di Benedetto, Alessandra Ciervo, Paola Stefanelli, Serena Battilomo, Valeria Proietti, Flavia Riccardo, Patrizio Pezzotti. [...] Regional representatives of the Italian covid-19 Vaccines Registry: Camillo Odio (Abruzzo); Michele Recine (Basilicata); Innocenza Ruberto (Calabria); Salvatore Ascione, Massimo Bisogno (Campania); Gandolfo Miserendino, Massimiliano Navacchia (Emilia-Romagna); Beatrice Del Frate, Emanuela Cau (Friuli Venezia Giulia); Diego Baiocchi, Danilo Fusco (Lazio); Domenico Gallo (Liguria); Maria Rosa Marchetti (Lombardia); Liana Spazzafumo (Marche); Raffaele Malatesta (Molise); Antonio Fanolla (PA Bolzano); Diego Conforti, Carlo Trentini (PA Trento); Antonino Ruggeri (Piemonte); Concetta Ladalardo, Nehludoff Albano (Puglia); Marco Corona, Paolo Lombardi (Sardegna); Massimo Iacono (Sicilia); Paolo Bruno Angori, Andrea Belardinelli (Toscana); Milena Solfiti (Umbria); Stefano Fioraso (Valle D'Aosta); Chiara Poma, Nadia Raccanello (Veneto).