A newly restructured government panel of vaccine advisors is set to convene soon to vote on the use of thimerosal, a preservative that contains mercury. Thimerosal is safely utilized in certain flu vaccines, but has historically faced incorrect associations with autism.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) will discuss thimerosal at a meeting scheduled for June 26. A presentation on the preservative is planned, along with a vote on recommendations regarding thimerosal-containing vaccines, as indicated in a draft agenda released Wednesday.
This meeting marks the first gathering of the ACIP since Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appointed a new group of advisors, most of whom are notable critics of vaccines. Last week, he announced the selection of these eight members after dismissing 17 previous members from the committee that advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on vaccine-related policies.
The specifics of the forthcoming presentation and the details of the panel’s vote remain unclear.
Thimerosal has been utilized as a preservative to inhibit bacterial growth in a variety of medications and multi-dose vaccines for many years. However, its use in approved vaccines has drastically declined as manufacturers have increasingly moved towards single-dose vials, which do not require preservatives.
Some adult flu vaccines still include thimerosal in their multi-dose formulations, such as Sanofi‘s Fluzone and two offerings from CSL Seqirus. Meanwhile, all vaccines routinely recommended for children aged 6 years and younger in the U.S. are available in thimerosal-free versions, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Health authorities, including the FDA, have consistently reinforced that extensive scientific research has found no evidence linking thimerosal to autism, despite unfounded fears that emerged decades ago regarding a possible connection.
“Over the past two decades, scientific evidence indicates no correlation between thimerosal in vaccines and harmful effects, including serious neurodevelopmental disorders,” the FDA stated on its website.
The new members of ACIP are poised to influence vaccination policy in the United States as the committee assesses vaccine data and formulates recommendations concerning vaccine eligibility and insurance coverage, among other critical issues. Additionally, during the two-day session, the committee will evaluate and vote on other vaccines, including those for Covid-19 and RSV.
