The aluminium conundrum: Is aluminium in vaccines slowly poisoning our future generation?

As the world continues to navigate the complexities of vaccine safety and efficacy, one ingredient has found itself at the centre of a contentious debate: aluminium. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vocal advocate for vaccine safety reform, has repeatedly raised concerns about the potential health risks associated with aluminium in vaccines.

“You wonder why a whole generation of children is allergic to stuff,” Mr. Kennedy said during a 2021 interview. “It’s because we’re inducing allergies, pumping them full of aluminium.”

But what does the science say?

A brief history of aluminium in vaccines

The use of aluminium in vaccines dates back to the 1920s when French veterinarian Gaston Ramon discovered that adding tapioca to diphtheria vaccines enhanced their effectiveness. Ramon's work led to the development of adjuvants, substances that stimulate the immune system to produce a stronger response to vaccines. Aluminium salts, in particular, were found to be effective adjuvants and have been used in various vaccines ever since.

Aluminium in modern vaccines