evidence: Thimerosal has been used since the 1930s to prevent bacterial growth in medical solutions, so we have almost 100 years of information on its toxicity.[10] Nevertheless, thimerosal became the next target of anti-vaccine groups looking to link vaccines to autism in the late 1990s and early 2000s. They raised concerns about the potential neurotoxic effects of mercury exposure from thimerosal-containing vaccines (TCVs) and a possible link to autism spectrum disorders (ASD). [...] 13. Hviid A, Stellfeld M, Wohlfahrt J, Melbye M. Association between thimerosal-containing vaccine and autism. JAMA. 2003;290(13):1763-1766. doi:10.1001/jama.290.13.1763 14. Stehr-Green P, Tull P, Stellfeld M, Mortenson PB, Simpson D. Autism and thimerosal-containing vaccines: lack of consistent evidence for an association. Am J Prev Med. 2003;25(2):101-106. doi:10.1016/s0749-3797(03)00113-2 15. Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Vaccine Ingredients – Thimerosal. [Internet]. Philadelphia, PA: Children's Hospital of Philadelphia; [updated 2020 Jun 1; cited 2024 Jan 29]. Available from: .