Harrison County Man Opposes Mercury In Kids' Vaccines

February 14, 2007

By Gabe Gutierrez

The medical community denies any link between vaccines and autism. CLARKSBURG -- Jamie Bailey's 5-year-old son Cameron was diagnosed with autism years ago.

"He's what I do now. He's what I live for. He's what I do. I work for him," Bailey said. "He got a fever after he took his vaccine. It lasted nearly 24 hours. When it went away, he stopped talking. The autistic characteristics started showing up."

Autism is a complex brain disorder usually characterized by a range of behaviors, including difficulty in expressing needs and inability to socialize.

Bailey blames the mercury in the vaccine. He says tests show his son now has an extremely high amount of mercury in his brain.

That's why he joined a group called "A-Champ" and supports House Bill 2152 before the state Legislature calling for the elimination of mercury in children's vaccines.

"We have banded together," he said. "And we're doing what we can to protect our children."

The medical community, however, says the mercury is not dangerous. "According to studies by the Centers for Disease Control, there is no correlation between mercury and autism," said Margaret Howe, RN, with the Harrison-Clarksburg Health Department. She said vaccines contain only very small traces of mercury.

There may be other reasons for Cameron's high levels of mercury in his brain.

"Other considerations may be environmental," she said. "Are there areas where he may hav ebeen exposed to? Maybe paint? Or Other material in the soil?

She said the bill before the Legislature, and others like it throughout the country, could create a health nightmare.

"You also have to consider risk and benefit," Howe said. "The risk of the vaccines versus the benefit of the vaccines."

But Bailey claims there are plenty of studies to back his position. He's just trying to spread the word.

As parents and residents, we take for granted that we were being told the truth at all time," he said. "When down the line, we find out it's not."

Source: WBOY-TV