StarBulletin.com

State disputes councilwoman on flu vaccine's safety


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POSTED: Sunday, October 11, 2009

HILO» When it comes to information on the H1N1 flu vaccine, the state Department of Health says Hawaii residents should consider the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention an authoritative source.

Department spokesman Janice Okubo says people should be cautious of information from other sources.

Okubo made the observation in reference to a Hawaii County Council resolution that calls the vaccine unsafe.

The resolution introduced by Councilwoman Emily Naeole was endorsed Tuesday by the council's Human Services and Economic Development Committee.

Naeole claims the vaccine contains 25 times the level of mercury considered toxic.

In response, Hawaii island's state public health nurse, Judy Akamine, said the mercury that is in the vaccine is less than in a serving of ahi.