Uses and Costs
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Although Thimerosal is largely used in vaccines, it is also used aas a preservative in tatttoo inks, nasal solution products, such as nasal sprays, opthalmic drugs, eye products, ear products, toxoids, antivenins, immunoglobulins, and skin test antigens. It is currently present in over 50 licensed vaccines and biological products, in concentrations between 0.003% to 0.01%.  While the cost of thimerosal may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, the cost of a vaccine containing thimerosal is almost 50% less than those that contain safer preservatives. For example, thimerosal containing vaccines manufactured by Fluzone® and Fluvirin® are $10.15 and $9.71 respectively, per dose, while a thimerosal-free vaccine, such as those by Flumist®, can range between $17.70 to $20.95 per dose.
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