Scientists say vaccine is safe

A controversial vaccine that is given to children all over the world has been given the all clear by a new study.

Thimerosal, the mercury containing vaccine preservative, has caused much controversy over its possible affects on the mental health of children.

However, a new report by researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the US has concluded that it does cause autism in children.

It goes on to state that there is no connection between infants' exposure to the preservative in vaccines and their IQ, language and memory later in childhood.

"By chance alone, with that number of tests, we would estimate that five per cent of the results would be significant," said Dr Anne Schuchat, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the centre.

"And that's what we found."

The additive was taken out of vaccines that were used in the US in 2001, but is still used in parts of the developing world.

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