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==Vaccine issues==
:"was no better than placebo at lowering the risk of major cardiovascular events -- including heart attack, stroke, heart surgery and death -- in patients with aortic stenosis." Vytorin "did cut cholesterol levels about 60 percent," but that effect was previously known and is also seen when Zocor (one of two drugs that comprise Vytorin) is taken alone. The European study also observed an increase in cancer cases and deaths among patients taking Vytorin, but researchers said this was not likely due to the drug. <ref>Linda A. Johnson [http://www.mail.com/Article.aspx/money/business/APNews/General-Business/20080721/U_Merck-Schering-Vytorin?pageid=1 Schering-Plough, Merck's Vytorin misses study goal], [[Associated Press]], July 21, 2008.</ref>
===Mercury levels and Thimerosol vaccines===
:"When viewed in this way, the mercury load appears rather large."
The memo was prepared as U.S. health authorities aggressively expanded their immunization schedule by adding five new shots for children in their first six months. Many of these shots, as well as some previously included on the schedule, contained thimerosal, an anti-bacterial compound that is nearly 50 % ethyl mercury, a neurotoxin. In 1999, federal health officials disclosed that many infants were being exposed to dangerously high mercury levels, following a review by the [[Food and Drug Administration]] (FDA). However, the memo revealed that Merck was aware of the concern much earlier.
As of February of 2005, over 4,200 claims have been filed in a special federal tribunal, the ''Vaccine Injury Compensation Program'', by parents asserting that their children suffered autism or other neurodevelopmental disorders from mercury poisoning. Thimerosal has been largely removed from pediatric vaccines as a "precautionary measure.". <ref>Myron Levin [http://articles.sfgate.com/2005-02-08/news/17358356_1_mercury-above-health-guidelines-guidelines-through-routine-vaccinations-merck-and-other-vaccine Vaccine maker's '91 memo suggests mercury-level risk], [[Los Angeles Times]], February 08, 2005</ref>
===Gardasil===
