I found the following info helpful. If you are concerned about the mercury in flu shots see the info below and find out which ones do contain mercury and which ones do not. The info is from the Ask Dr. Sears website.
The most important thing for infants, children, and pregnant women is to MAKE SURE YOU ARE GETTING A MERCURY-FREE FLU VACCINE. Here are all the flu vaccines for the 2008/2009 flu season:
FLUZONE Shot
This is the only brand approved for all age ranges, from young infants to adults. It comes in four different formulations:
Pre-filled syringe for infants 6 through 35 months – NO mercury.
Pre-filled syringe for children 3 years and older and adults – NO mercury.
Single-dose vial for children 3 years and older and adults – NO mercury.
Multi-dose vial for infants 6 months and older, children and adults – contains the full dose of mercury.
FLUZONE is the only brand of flu shot approved for young infants and toddlers. BEWARE – the multi-dose vial has the full dose of mercury. You have to make sure you are getting a single-dose pre-filled syringe or vial, NOT the multi-dose vial.
FLUMIST Nasal Spray
An alternative to the flu SHOT for young children is the FLUMIST nasal spray. There is no mercury in this formulation. It is approved for children 2 years and older and adults through age 49.
FLUVIRIN Shot
This shot is approved for children 4 years and older and adults. It comes in two formulations:
Pre-filled syringe – has a trace of mercury
Multi-dose vial – has the full dose of mercury
FLUARIX Shot
This is only for adults 18 years and older. It only comes as a pre-filled syringe with a trace amount of mercury.
FLULAVAL Shot
This is only for adults 18 years and older. It only comes as a multi-dose vial with the full dose of mercury.
AFLURIA Shot
This is only for adults 18 years and older. It has two formulations:
Pre-filled syringe with no mercury
Multi-dose vial with the full dose of mercury
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