To the editor:

This letter is in response to a letter that appeared in the Friday, Sept. 23, edition titled “Vaccine hazard.” As parents, we would like to express our concern for the serious complications of the writer’s son’s illness.

It is difficult to accurately identify the level of risk associated with thimerosal and mercury because there are other possible environmental exposure routes for mercury. After much study, there continues to be no proven risk associated with vaccines, including those that contain thimerosal.

However, the potential for pregnant women and children to experience severe illness from influenza is very real and clearly documented. Annually, some 36,000 Americans die from influenza-related causes. In response to concerns in the 1990s, health providers and industry have achieved reductions in thimerosal in many vaccines (such as the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, or DtaP vaccine). This year there is a thimerosal-free flu vaccine available. Please check with your local health care providers about this option.

The scientific and public health evidence continues to strongly support use of vaccines for preventing diseases such as polio, rubella, influenza and many others. Therefore, we urge those most vulnerable to flu complications to get a flu shot early, including pregnant women and children. We believe this is one of the best methods of protecting the health of Kansans. We encourage everyone to make plans to get a flu shot this year.

Roderick L. Bremby, secretary,

Kansas Department of Health and Environment,

Dr. Howard Rodenberg,

KDHE health director,

Topeka