WASHINGTON — Researchers at the California Department of Public Health said autism rates in that state have continued to rise despite the removal of the mercury-containing preservative thimerosal from most childhood vaccines. The research, which is being published in this month’s Archives of General Psychiatry, looked at autism rates of children ages 3 to 12 from 1995 through March 2007 who had active cases with the department, or those who were receiving services from the state for an autism disorder. In 1999 federal health officials recommended the elimination of thimerosal from children’s vaccines on concerns about a possible link to rising autism rates seen in the 1990s. In 2004, the Institute of Medicine concluded there wasn’t a relationship between the mercury-containing vaccines and autism, but recommended researchers continue looking at autism rates as thimerosal exposure dropped. Autism is characterized as impairments in social interaction, communication, and unusual behavior and interests. The cause of the disorder isn’t known, and there is no cure, although medication and therapy can improve symptoms. Other states besides California have also reported an increase in autism rates. Federal health officials have said part of the increase in rates, which fall under […]