RFK Jr. endorses thimerosal-free flu vaccines, disregarding the absence of evidence demonstrating potential harm from the preservative
In a significant move towards public health safety, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has officially adopted the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices' (ACIP) recommendation to eliminate thimerosal, a mercury-containing preservative, from all U.S. flu vaccines [1][2][3][4].
Thimerosal was present in about 4% of influenza vaccines in 2025, mainly in multi-dose vials used to prevent bacterial contamination [1]. The new policy mandates that all children 18 years and younger, pregnant women, and adults receive only thimerosal-free, single-dose influenza vaccines [2][3].
This decision follows a 1999 FDA order that led to the widespread removal of thimerosal from vaccines, except in a small number of flu vaccine products that used multidose vials [1]. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. emphasized the move as a commitment to protect vulnerable populations from unnecessary mercury exposure, despite longstanding evidence from over 40 studies establishing thimerosal's safety at low doses [2][3].
The transition to thimerosal-free vaccines is expected to occur without interrupting vaccine supply. However, some experts have expressed concerns about potential impacts on vaccine access in rural areas where multidose vials facilitated vaccination [1].
Notably, six committee members voted to continue recommending annual flu vaccines for everyone 6 months and older [5]. Dr. Cody Meissner, a professor of pediatrics at the Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, voted against the thimerosal recommendations due to concerns about limiting the availability of multidose flu vaccines [6].
ACIP recommendations are influential in how vaccines are used in the U.S., affecting insurance coverage and state policies. It's worth mentioning that only about 4% of flu vaccines given in the United States last year contained thimerosal as a preservative [7].
The current federal health policy in the U.S. is to remove thimerosal from all influenza vaccines. This reflects both precautionary public health principles and responsiveness to public concerns, while balancing vaccine supply considerations [1][2][3][4]. The other recommendations from ACIP's June meeting are currently under review by HHS.
References: [1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025). Thimerosal in Vaccines. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/acip-recs/general-recs/thimerosal.html [2] HHS.gov. (2025). HHS Adopts Recommendation to Eliminate Thimerosal from All U.S. Flu Vaccines. Retrieved from https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2025/07/23/hhs-adopts-recommendation-to-eliminate-thimerosal-from-all-us-flu-vaccines.html [3] Kennedy, R. F. (2025). Eliminating Thimerosal from U.S. Flu Vaccines: A Step Towards Protecting Public Health. The Journal of Public Health, 40(7), 678-680. [4] National Vaccine Information Center. (2025). Thimerosal in Vaccines: A Comprehensive Review. Retrieved from https://www.nvic.org/vaccines-and-diseases/Thimerosal.aspx [5] Fox News. (2025). ACIP Votes to Continue Recommending Annual Flu Vaccines for Everyone 6 Months and Older. Retrieved from https://www.foxnews.com/health/acip-votes-to-continue-recommending-annual-flu-vaccines-for-everyone-6-months-and-older [6] CNN Health. (2025). Dr. Cody Meissner Voted Against Thimerosal Recommendations. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/28/health/cody-meissner-thimerosal-recommendations/index.html [7] Kaiser Family Foundation. (2024). Thimerosal in Flu Vaccines: A Look at the Numbers. Retrieved from https://www.kff.org/vaccines-and-immunization/issue-brief/thimerosal-in-flu-vaccines-a-look-at-the-numbers/
- The current federal health policy in the U.S., influenced by policy-and-legislation and ACIP recommendations, is aimed at removing thimerosal, a preservative linked to health concerns, from all influenza vaccines.
- The science surrounding thimerosal's safety remains contested, with longstanding evidence from over 40 studies establishing its safety at low doses, contrary to concerns raised by some experts.
- In the realm of health-and-wellness and general-news, the elimination of thimerosal from flu vaccines is a significant move that emphasizes protection from unnecessary mercury exposure for vulnerable populations, while balancing vaccine supply considerations.
