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House Speaker Catherine Hanaway announced her support for a new bill aimed at fighting autism.

March 4, 2004
By: Almitra Smith
State Capital Bureau

At a press conference Missouri House Speaker Catherine Hanaway announced she was signing on to a bill that would remove mercury from child vaccination shots. Almitra Smith has more from Jefferson City.

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In the 1940s mercury was added to immunization shots as a preservative.

Now, Representative Roy Holand says the mercury must be removed because it is linked to autism. He is sponsoring a bill that would prohibit mercury-based immunizations from being given to children under eight.

Holand says currently manufacturers have a choice in making mercury-free vaccinations, but that's not enough.

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Contents: "Today we still have children receiving immunizations from multi dose vials. These are in doctor's offices, they are in public health programs, and so I felt it was important that we set a standard in Missouri to remove all the risks for mercury exposure."

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Opponents of the bill say the link between autism and mercury is not definite. And that it could decrease the number of vaccinations being given.

From the State Capitol, I'm Almitra Smith.

Date:3/4/04

By: Almitra Smith

State Capital Bureau

Missouri House Speaker Catherine Hanaway announced her support Thursday for a new bill that she says could be important in fighting autism. Almitra Smith has more from Jefferson City.

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Representative Roy Holand unveiled a bill he sponsored that would prohibit mercury-based immunizations from being given to children under eight.

House Speaker Catherine Hanaway says the bill is necessary to keep children healthy.

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Contents: "We have identified that mercury preservatives could be one of the causes of autism, and so by prohibiting mercury preservatives, we may be preventing some instances of autism."

Holand says if passed, the legislation wouldn't start until 2006 giving drug manufacturers time to prepare.

From the state capitol, I'm Almitra Smith.