Introduction

This article examines the alarmist rhetoric surrounding aluminum in vaccines and contrasts it with the actual scientific findings.

Table of Contents

• Claims about vaccines and aluminum
• Analyzing the research papers
• Aluminum exposure from vaccines in a broader context
• Conclusion: Overstated fears from unreliable sources

Overview of Claims Regarding Vaccines and Aluminum

While researching misleading vaccine information, I encountered an anti-vaccine site that makes bold assertions. One such claim states:

> "Until recently, the CDC has neglected to conduct essential studies, but a new CDC report reveals a 19%-26% increase in risk of persistent asthma per 1000 mg of injected vaccine-derived aluminum."

This alarming statement raises concerns for parents: Are vaccines inadvertently increasing asthma rates in children?

The site does provide references, including a link to a scientific paper. While this could be beneficial, it may overwhelm those unfamiliar with scientific literature.

Let’s analyze these claims and evaluate the evidence backing them. For those eager to skip to conclusions, feel free to jump to the end.

Claims About Aluminum in Vaccines

The site expresses significant concern regarding the aluminum present in vaccines. Here are some key points and quotes from the site:

Aluminum is often included in vaccines as an adjuvant, which is intended to boost the immune response. This is a sensible objective; vaccines aim to elicit a sufficient immune reaction without overreacting.

According to the site:

> "The safety of aluminum injections has been under scrutiny for years. In 2022, the CDC finally conducted a study to explore the potential link between aluminum adjuvant exposure and asthma."

The site cites a 2022 CDC paper that investigates the relationship between aluminum in vaccines and childhood asthma—a topic that has long been speculated upon but rarely studied.

The author raises several rhetorical questions:

> Is the aluminum dosage in vaccines safe for newborns? Is it determined by their weight or kidney function? Are the developing immune and neurological systems considered? What does current science say about aluminum neurotoxicity?

The response references another paper, emphasizing:

> A 2018 study shows the FDA's allowable aluminum levels in vaccines are the same for both a newborn and an adult, urging healthcare providers to rethink the CDC's pediatric vaccination schedule.

The anti-vaccine site references numerous studies—54 in total—addressing various aspects of aluminum adjuvants, though some links appear redundant.

Their main assertions include:

• Aluminum adjuvants have not been adequately studied for safety in humans, yet they are used in vaccines.
• There is a correlation between aluminum levels and childhood asthma.
• General aluminum exposure is harmful, citing many studies that focus on aluminum in various contexts.

While the volume of scientific references aims to create a sense of credibility, we must question whether the science genuinely supports their claims.

What the Research Papers Actually Say

Let's delve into the highlighted 2022 CDC study that allegedly shows a 19%-26% increase in asthma risk associated with aluminum exposure from vaccines. You can access the full paper [here](#).

While the study indicates a higher likelihood of asthma among vaccinated children, it also identifies several other factors that correlate strongly with asthma risk, including:

• Male gender: 40% higher incidence
• Black ethnicity: 81% higher incidence
• Moderate to extreme preterm birth: 34% to 68% higher incidence
• Food allergies: 432% higher incidence
• Early life bronchitis: 40% higher incidence
• Frequent emergency department visits: 16% higher incidence

Out of 312,000 children studied, 6,887 developed asthma, resulting in a baseline incidence of approximately 2.2%.

Thus, a baby girl has a 2.2% chance of developing asthma before age five, while a baby boy faces a 3.1% chance (40% higher).

Moreover, the study does not differentiate between vaccinated and unvaccinated children; it compares those receiving lower versus higher aluminum doses. It concludes that the highest aluminum-containing vaccines increase asthma risk from 2.2% to 2.6%.

This risk is relatively minimal when considering other influential factors.

Examining Aluminum Dosage in Vaccines

Next, the site questions the FDA’s aluminum dosage recommendations, which suggest a maximum of 850 micrograms per vaccine. Contrary to the site's assertions, the FDA does not indicate this dosage is solely for adults.

While the claim holds some truth, the American Academy of Pediatrics has established guidelines that recommend a maximum of 1 mg of aluminum per kg of body weight for infants, although this recommendation pertains to oral ingestion. Injected aluminum salts are quickly eliminated by the kidneys.

The barrage of studies cited does raise concerns regarding their credibility. Issues include:

• Some papers are authored by individuals with a history of retracted studies due to misconduct.
• Many studies focus on aluminum toxicity in adults, involving forms of aluminum unrelated to vaccine adjuvants.
• Others face scrutiny regarding their methodological rigor and ethical considerations.
• Some studies involve disproportionately high doses of aluminum, far exceeding vaccine amounts.

Due to the questionable validity of many cited studies, I remain skeptical of the claims made by the anti-vaccine site.

Aluminum Exposure from Vaccines in Context

Importantly, the site fails to address aluminum exposure from sources beyond vaccines.

Throughout the first six months of life, babies receive around 4 mg of aluminum from vaccines. However, aluminum is also found in breast milk and infant formulas; exclusively breastfed infants may consume about 10 mg, while those on soy-based formula might ingest up to 120 mg of aluminum.

Additionally, research indicates that aluminum is naturally present in infant blood, averaging about 5 nanograms per milliliter. If vaccine aluminum were problematic, one would expect to see elevated blood aluminum levels post-vaccination, but this is not observed.

Furthermore, adults often consume substantial amounts of aluminum through over-the-counter antacids, which contain more than 1,000 times the aluminum found in vaccines, alongside dietary sources averaging 7–9 mg daily.

Conclusion: Overblown Fears from Discredited Sources

In conclusion, this anti-vaccine article demonstrates several issues: misinterpretation of research, misleading data presentation, and an overwhelming number of loosely related citations.

While the study does indicate a slight increase in asthma risk associated with high-aluminum vaccines, this increase is minor compared to other risk factors like gender, ethnicity, and underlying health conditions. The overall risk of childhood asthma rises from 2.2% to 3.1% in vaccinated children.

For that marginal risk, vaccinations protect children from serious diseases such as hepatitis, diphtheria, and tetanus.

It's worth noting that not all vaccines contain aluminum; for instance, live virus vaccines like MMR and current COVID vaccines do not include any aluminum.

Websites promoting such misinformation pose a significant threat, masquerading as scientific authorities while presenting misleading arguments. They say, “Look at the science!” but conveniently ignore the fact that the science does not support their conclusions.

While vigilance regarding aluminum exposure is warranted, it should not deter us from utilizing vaccines that save lives by preventing dangerous illnesses.

Have you encountered more instances of misinformation masquerading as scientific evidence?

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