What does the weight of scientific evidence say about thimerosal and autism?

The weight of scientific evidence indicates that thimerosal, a mercury-containing compound used as a preservative in some vaccines, plays no part in the development of autism spectrum disorder. Numerous studies have examined the potential link between thimerosal and autism, and the consensus among researchers is that there is no causal relationship between the two.

The extensive research includes large-scale studies and reviews that have consistently found no difference in autism rates between vaccinated and unvaccinated populations, regardless of thimerosal exposure. Furthermore, thimerosal was removed from all childhood vaccines in the United States in 2001, yet the rates of autism diagnoses continued to rise, further undermining any claims of a causal link.

This body of evidence supports the conclusion that thimerosal is not a contributing factor in the development of autism, allowing health professionals to focus on other, more substantiated causes and risk factors for autism spectrum disorders.