Division Examines Danger of Mercury-Containing Vaccines, Drugs

United Methodist Women members and friends from across the United States are invited to attend a conference to raise awareness about mercury as a preservative in some vaccines and other drugs. The Women’s Division of the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries will sponsor “The Truth is Coming to Light” event June 6-7 at Simpsonwood Retreat Center near Atlanta.

The event will educate the faith community about the dangers of vaccines and other drugs that contain the mercury-preservative Thimerosal as a step toward protecting children from this toxin.

At the conclusion of this educational event, two grassroots organizations, Moms Against Mercury and the Coalition for Mercury-free Drugs (CoMeD) will hold a rally at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and a press conference nearby in Atlanta.

“We are absolutely not opposed to vaccinating children,” said Julie Taylor, Women’s Division executive. “We think vaccinations are important to the health and safety of children, but even a trace amount of mercury, a known neuro-toxin, should not be injected into our bodies. If there is mercury in any medicine we are given, we should know about it.”

The Women’s Division is sponsoring this educational event and will support the coalitions in their public witness and press conference. The division calls for informed consent whenever persons receive vaccinations that contain mercury and also advocates that mercury be removed from all medicines.

In April 2006, the Women’s Division Board of Directors called on the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to take action to protect children from mercury-containing drugs.

United Methodist Women have established a legacy of advocacy for children. Some of this work has taken place through the Campaign for Children. The campaign has focused on improving the lives of children in their communities, safety and well-being of children, and access of all children to quality public education.

“The children and families that are affected by mercury- poisoning are marginalized in their efforts to uncover the truth about this toxin,” Ms. Taylor said. “They are individuals questioning large agencies of the government and pharmaceutical companies about the use of mercury.

“We hope member of United Methodist Women will come to this event to be informed and become a part of the effort to raise awareness about this issue in their communities.

To register for this event, contact Beverly Irving. Call: 212-870-3751. Email: jbirving@gbgm-umc.org. The registration deadline is April 1. For information on the history of United Methodist Women’s work with issues related to mercury poisoning and children’s health, visit www.umwmission.org.