Trending outcry over infant's alleged vaccine-related death in Maine

A story has gone viral about an infant in Maine who died 34 hours after receiving childhood vaccines in October 2022. According to the article, a toxicology report revealed that the infant’s blood had a dangerously high level of aluminum, which the article attributes to the vaccines. The infant’s parents believe vaccines played a role in their infant’s death and allege that aluminum in vaccines can cross the blood-brain barrier in children under two years old.

Risk level: Medium

Recommendation: Patients who are familiar with this story may express concerns about vaccinating their infants. If questions arise, doctors may emphasize that aluminum exposure from vaccines is low and that the benefits of vaccinating infants outweigh theoretical risks. The CDC continues recommending vaccination for infants.