Written by Zachary Stieber via The Epoch Times (emphasis added)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s advisers recommended on June 26 to discontinue the use of influenza vaccines containing a mercury-based preservative.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) reconfirmed the existing recommendation for individuals aged at least 6 months to receive an annual influenza shot. However, the panel suggested that only thimerosal-free vaccines should be administered.
Approximately 95 percent of influenza vaccines distributed in the United States in late 2024 and early 2025 were free of thimerosal, as stated by the Food and Drug Administration. Dr. Tracy Hoeg from the FDA informed the committee that there are an adequate number of thimerosal-free influenza vaccine doses available for the upcoming virus season, spanning from fall to winter.
A representative from Sanofi communicated to The Epoch Times via email: “We acknowledge the new ACIP recommendation. We are awaiting the CDC’s decision on the way forward.
“We will have ample supply of Sanofi flu vaccine to accommodate customer preferences for this season.”
Seqirus, another producer of influenza vaccines with thimerosal, has not yet responded to requests for input.
ACIP offers guidance to the CDC’s director, who typically endorses the recommendations.
The CDC currently does not have an active director listed on its website. Susan Monarez, President Donald Trump’s nominee for the position, is under Senate consideration. Both the CDC and its parent agency, the Department of Health and Human Services, did not provide comments in response to the requests.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. previously implemented some suggestions put forth by ACIP.
Kennedy has long been against vaccines containing thimerosal, and the panel heard testimony from Lyn Redwood, a former president of a nonprofit founded by Kennedy who is now employed by the Department of Health and Human Services.
Redwood presented various studies during her presentation that provided evidence against thimerosal, including a 2003 study that linked thimerosal exposure to tics and a 2007 research that identified associations, both positive and negative, including a decrease in executive functioning.
“Studies have indicated potential harm,” Redwood stated.
Thimerosal is composed of about 50 percent mercury by weight. It was widely used in vaccines for many years before being phased out in the early 2000s as a precautionary measure, according to federal officials.
“There is a risk of repeated exposure to this. It’s not just a one-time administration but potential chronic exposure annually,” remarked Dr. Robert Malone, one of the CDC’s advisors, following Redwood’s presentation.
Several CDC advisors expressed support for reducing mercury exposure, emphasizing that mercury is a known toxin.
“We must take all necessary steps to control controllable sources of exposure,” added panelist Retsef Levi.
Dr. Cody Meissner, a pediatrician recently reappointed to the committee, strongly opposed the recommendation.
“ACIP bases recommendations on scientific evidence as much as possible,” he stated. “There is no scientific evidence supporting issues arising from thimerosal.”
Representatives from health organizations serving as liaisons to the committee, including Dr. Matthew Zahn from the National Association of County and City Health Officials, voiced their belief before the vote that vaccines containing thimerosal are safe.
The CDC asserted in an unsigned document posted online on June 24 that “there is no established connection between thimerosal-containing vaccines and autism spectrum disorder or other neurodevelopmental disorders.” Staff members highlighted that studies suggesting an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders and autism from thimerosal-containing vaccines “have notable methodological constraints, such as unaccounted confounding factors, inaccurate exposure assessments, discrepancies in control and case groups, unverified diagnoses, and potential biases that undermine the validity and reliability of the findings.”
The document was removed from the website prior to the meeting.
“This document from the CDC vaccine safety office was not appropriately vetted before publication,” a Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson informed The Epoch Times via email.
The spokesperson mentioned that the document was distributed to all ACIP members, who confirmed reviewing its contents.
In the initial vote, all but one advisor voted in favor of maintaining the existing recommendation for individuals aged 6 months and older to receive an annual influenza vaccine unless medically contraindicated. The subsequent three votes focused on whether to recommend thimerosal-free vaccines for specific populations.
Vicky Pebsworth abstained from all four votes, citing insufficient discussion on the matter. Meissner dissented on the thimerosal-free vaccine votes, while all other advisors supported the recommendation.
In a collective statement following the meeting, members stated: “We approached this meeting with open minds and will make decisions as if we are treating our own families. Unbiased scientific reasoning is at the core of the committee’s mission. While our votes are recommendations, we understand that some may interpret them as mandates, so we take this responsibility seriously. We commit to refraining from voting if there is inadequate information to evaluate the risks and benefits.”
Kennedy recently dismissed all 17 ACIP members and appointed new members in their place.
In a detailed social media post on June 24, Kennedy discussed the high levels of mercury in flu shots and the potential cumulative impact on children who receive an annual vaccination, which could exceed recommended levels. He referenced several studies, including one that observed higher brain-to-blood mercury concentration ratios in monkeys exposed to thimerosal compared to a control group.
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