Controversy Over Flu Vaccine Preservative Thimerosal
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends against using flu vaccines with thimerosal, a preservative rarely used now. Despite disproven autism fears, the committee voted to ban thimerosal in vaccines for children, pregnant women, and adults. The debate, led by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., raises concerns about vaccine safety.
An influential committee that shapes U.S. vaccine policy has recommended that flu vaccines no longer contain thimerosal, a preservative rarely used now. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) discussed thimerosal, a form of mercury used for sterilization in vaccines, during a recent public meeting. The committee guides the CDC on vaccine schedules for all ages.
Under the leadership of Secretary of Health Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the committee, which usually has 17 members, was recently replaced with a smaller panel. Despite disproven theories linking thimerosal to autism, the committee voted to recommend flu immunizations without thimerosal for children, pregnant women, and adults.
Dr. Cody Meissner, the only member who dissented, emphasized the minimal risk of thimerosal compared to the benefits of flu vaccination. The meeting also featured a presentation from Lyn Redwood, a former president of an anti-vaccine group founded by Kennedy, advocating for the removal of thimerosal from vaccines.
Despite concerns raised by some committee members, the recommendations to remove thimerosal from flu vaccines were welcomed by medical groups. However, there were worries about the underlying message of the meeting, with some perceiving it as an attempt to undermine trust in vaccines.
According to the source: NPR.
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