Mercury possibly in vaccines administered to Missourians

JEFFERSON CITY — Some Missouri children and pregnant women may have wrongly received influenza vaccinations containing mercury.

A state audit says the Department of Health and Senior Services did not adequately notify the public or medical providers about a new law requiring mercury-free vaccines for children younger than three and pregnant women.

That law took effect in April 2007.

But because they weren't aware of the law, the audit says, some medical providers ordered flu vaccines containing mercury and administered them to people during the 2007-08 flu season.

Some people think mercury in vaccines can trigger autism, a theory that has not been proven.