US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy JR on Wednesday signed the recommendation to abolish Thimerosal with all influenza vaccines.The mercury-based preservatives used in vaccines since World War II have long been criticized by anti-vaccine groups. A known suspicion of vaccine safety standards, Kennedy said, “After more than two decades of delay, this action fulfills a longer promise to protect our weakest population from unnecessary mercury exposure., The recommendation came from the Advisory Committee from the vaccination practices (ACIP) after the June 26 meeting, where the majority voted against allowing any flu vaccine to include Thimerosal. The proposal was introduced by Lynn Redwood, former head of children’s health protection, an anti-vaccine group Kennedy himself founded himself.However, not everyone on the panel agreed. Dr. Kodi Meesner was the only ACIP member to oppose the decision. He argued that there is no scientific evidence that Thimerosal damaged and warned that a ban on it could increase cost and reduce the access of vaccine, especially in countries that still rely on protected vaccine stocks.According to the disease control and prevention centers, about 96% of flu vaccines in the US are already thimrosal for 2024–2025 seasons. But the FDA has continued its safety citing decades of global research. The FDA says that “a stronger review of the colleagues in countries around the United States and the world, a strong body of scientific studies support the safety of Thameerosal -containing vaccines.”While better manufacturing has made preservatives less necessary, experts say that a complete ban can hurt international vaccine programs that still depend on the thimerosal-rich vials.
