Responding to Parents’ Questions Regarding Polysorbate 80, Aluminum, and Thimerosal in Vaccines

Vaccines save millions of lives worldwide every year. Nevertheless, misinformation regarding vaccine ingredients circulates on various media platforms and may negatively influence parental decisions regarding childhood vaccinations. Three vaccine ingredients commonly associated with parental vaccine...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal for nurse practitioners 2022-07, Vol.18 (7), p.686-690
Main Authors: Macintosh, Janelle L.B., Hugh, Elli, Luthy, Karlen E., Peterson, Neil
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
additives
Aluminum
Alzheimer's disease
Brain damage
Childhood
Chronic illnesses
Encephalitis
Human papillomavirus
Ingredients
Misinformation
Nurse practitioners
Parents & parenting
polysorbate 80
thimerosal
vaccine hesitancy
vaccine refusal
Vaccines
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Summary:Vaccines save millions of lives worldwide every year. Nevertheless, misinformation regarding vaccine ingredients circulates on various media platforms and may negatively influence parental decisions regarding childhood vaccinations. Three vaccine ingredients commonly associated with parental vaccine concerns include polysorbate 80, aluminum, and thimerosal. This article aims to discuss the safety of polysorbate 80, aluminum, and thimerosal in vaccines and provide accurate educational information to assist nurse practitioners in helping parents make well-informed decisions regarding childhood vaccinations. •Polysorbate, an emulsifier, keeps fat-soluble and water-soluble substances mixed.•Aluminum, used in vaccines for more than 90 years, boosts the immune system’s response.•Ethylmercury, a metabolite of thimerosal, is safely and quickly metabolized by the body and excreted through stool.•NPs need information about common vaccine ingredients so they can answer parent questions.
ISSN:1555-4155
1878-058X
DOI:10.1016/j.nurpra.2022.05.010