U.S. vaccine panel rejects flu shots with a specific preservative, despite safety data

The Trump administration’s new vaccine advisers have recently endorsed flu vaccinations for nearly every American this fall. However, they have specified that only certain shots free of a preservative, thimerosal, should be used. This preservative has been safely used in vaccines for decades but has faced scrutiny due to containing a small amount of mercury.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) was abruptly fired by U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and replaced with several vaccine skeptics. The new seven-member panel discussed the safety of thimerosal based on a presentation from an anti-vaccine group’s former leader, without allowing input from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Thimerosal, used in less than five percent of U.S. flu vaccinations, has been deemed safe by the CDC and the World Health Organization. It contains ethyl mercury, which is quickly removed from the body and does not pose any harm. Despite multiple studies showing no link between thimerosal and autism, the panel voted to recommend thimerosal-free flu vaccinations for everyone six months and older.

The panel’s decision was criticized for lack of transparency and for blocking a CDC analysis that concluded thimerosal is safe. Medical groups raised concerns about the panel’s focus on vaccine safety and transparency. The American Academy of Pediatrics announced it would no longer participate in ACIP meetings due to the dismissals and lack of credibility.

The panel’s discussion on flu vaccinations also raised doubts about vaccine safety and fueled misinformation. With already declining flu vaccination rates and growing mistrust in vaccines, the panel’s actions further eroded public trust. The focus on reevaluating the children’s vaccine schedule, based on debunked claims of over-vaccination, also raised concerns among pediatricians and doctors.

Moving forward, it is crucial for vaccine recommendations to be based on scientific evidence and transparency. The decision to recommend thimerosal-free flu vaccinations may impact availability and insurance coverage, and it is important to ensure that public trust in vaccines is maintained.