In a significant move that could reshape federal vaccine policy, a panel of vaccine advisors has voted to recommend against the use of thimerosal-containing flu vaccines.
See the tweet below!
This decision, driven by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., aligns with long-standing activism against the preservative but faces sharp criticism from mainstream science.
The five-member panel made the recommendation on June 26, 2025, suggesting that no children, pregnant women, or adults should receive flu vaccines containing thimerosal.
Known for its use as a preservative, thimerosal has been a target for the anti-vaccine movement.
This pivotal vote marks a potential shift in how vaccines are perceived and distributed, though many experts argue there is no substantial evidence of harm from thimerosal.
The lone dissenting voice, Dr. Cody Meissner, emphasized, “The risk from influenza is so much greater than the nonexistent, as far as we know, risk from thimerosal,” cited by The Guardian.
Critical voices within the medical community, such as Dr. Sean O’Leary, have criticized the decision, arguing that the science on thimerosal has long been settled, and the rhetoric used in the panel meeting was misleading.
The Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP), restructured with Kennedy’s allies, reveals a departure from previous federal health stances, where thimerosal was often deemed safe.
“There is a very big difference between what was shared at the meeting versus what is reality,” asserted Dr. Sean O’Leary, highlighting the disconnect between the panel’s discussions and established scientific consensus.
The committee, now led by individuals appointed by Kennedy, voted 5-1 in favor of the recommendation, with one abstention.
Dr. Cody Meissner, the only dissenting member, expressed concerns over the potential public health impact, stressing that influenza remains a far greater risk than thimerosal.
This decision could have significant ramifications beyond the U.S. Borders.
Thimerosal-fortified vaccines are prevalent in many countries due to their cost-effectiveness.
Removing the preservative could lead to decreased access and increased costs worldwide.
Despite these concerns, the panel’s recommendation remains, poised to influence CDC policies and potentially disrupt current global vaccine strategies.
The legacy and impact of this decision might ultimately hinge on how the public and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) respond.
Should the CDC adopt the recommendation, it would reflect a notable realignment in federal vaccine strategy, potentially placing an ideological agenda above long-established science.
🚨RFK Jr.’s New CDC Vaccine Advisory Committee Just Voted: Thimerosal Is Out of Flu Shots!
For decades, multi-dose flu shots contained thimerosal—a mercury-based preservative.
There’s never been a single study proving it’s safe, even at trace levels.
Thimerosal contains… pic.twitter.com/fsFW49Vlpd
— End Tribalism in Politics (@EndTribalism) June 26, 2025
