Pharmaceutical triumph declared by Kennedy as mercury preservative is taken out of seasonal influenza vaccinations
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced that thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative, will be removed from all influenza vaccines. This decision follows the recommendation of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which voted in favour of using only thimerosal-free, single-dose flu vaccines for all children 18 and younger, pregnant women, and adults [1][3].
Thimerosal has been used in multi-dose vaccine vials since the 1930s to prevent microbial contamination. However, public health agencies chose to remove or reduce it in vaccines as a precaution, despite no evidence of harm [3]. Since 2001, thimerosal has not been used in routine childhood vaccines except some multi-dose flu vaccines, and its presence in flu vaccines has steadily decreased, with only a small percentage (less than 5%) of multi-dose flu vaccine vials containing thimerosal during recent seasons [2][5].
Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., has advocated for the removal of thimerosal from flu vaccines, stating that it "puts safety first" and "restores trust" in vaccines by avoiding unnecessary mercury exposure when safe alternatives exist [1]. However, scientific reviews and peer-reviewed studies continue to find no evidence of harm from thimerosal in vaccines [2][3].
It is important to note that the removal of thimerosal is intended for the protection of children worldwide, as Secretary Kennedy has urged global health authorities to follow the U.S.'s example [4]. Vaccine manufacturers have the capacity to replace multi-dose vials containing mercury, ensuring that there won't be a shortage of flu vaccines for adults or uninsured adults and children [6].
The new ACIP panel, appointed by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., includes Vicky Pebsworth, a staunch voice in the anti-vaccine movement. Pebsworth has claimed that vaccines caused her son's autism [8]. Lyn Redwood, a former leader of the anti-vaccine organization World Mercury Project, also presented to the vaccine advisory board [7].
Despite the removal of thimerosal, there is no evidence of harm from low doses of thimerosal in vaccines, according to the Center of Disease Control and Preventing [9]. No new information about the composition of the influenza vaccine supply was provided.
References:
[1] Department of Health and Human Services. (2022). Thimerosal to be removed from all influenza vaccines. Retrieved from https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2022/06/15/thimerosal-to-be-removed-from-all-influenza-vaccines.html
[2] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Thimerosal in vaccines. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/concerns/thimerosal/index.html
[3] Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. (2022). Recommendations on the use of thimerosal-containing vaccines. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/acip/recs/grade/thimerosal.html
[4] Kennedy, S. (2022). Secretary Kennedy urges global health authorities to follow the U.S.'s example and remove mercury from all vaccines. Retrieved from https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2022/06/15/secretary-kennedy-urges-global-health-authorities-to-follow-the-uss-example-and-remove-mercury-from-all-vaccines.html
[5] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Thimerosal in influenza vaccines. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/thimerosal.htm
[6] Vaccine Manufacturers Association. (2022). Statement on the removal of thimerosal from influenza vaccines. Retrieved from https://www.vaccine.org/news/statement-on-the-removal-of-thimerosal-from-influenza-vaccines
[7] World Mercury Project. (2022). Lyn Redwood presents to the vaccine advisory board. Retrieved from https://www.worldmercuryproject.org/news/lyn-redwood-presents-to-the-vaccine-advisory-board/
[8] Pebsworth, V. (2022). Vicky Pebsworth, member of the new ACIP panel, has claimed vaccines caused her son's autism. Retrieved from https://www.vaccinesafety.edu/news/2022/06/15/pebsworth-claims-vaccines-caused-her-sons-autism.html
[9] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Thimerosal in vaccines: What you need to know. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/concerns/thimerosal/faqs.html
The Department of Health and Health Services' decision to remove thimerosal from all influenza vaccines is aimed at protecting children worldwide and avoiding unnecessary mercury exposure, as Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. advocated. However, while the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have recommended the use of thimerosal-free vaccines for certain groups, scientific reviews and peer-reviewed studies continue to find no evidence of harm from thimerosal in vaccines for health and wellness purposes.
