
Federal Recommendations for Vaccines Containing Thimerosal Rescinded
Thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative, has been incorrectly linked to the development of autism by antivaccine groups.
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr has
The decision by Kennedy comes after the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice (ACIP) voted to dismiss federal recommendations for all flu vaccines containing thimerosal. Kennedy made national news when he fired all 17 previous members of ACIP in 1 day,
The number of
Previous studies, including one conducted in 2010 by the CDC, have shown that there is no link between thimerosal and autism. Thimerosal was also not linked to neuropsychological delays in children, backed by studies conducted by the CDC and in Italy.
Individuals and care settings who will be affected by Kennedy’s decision include those in places where it is difficult to store many vaccines for long periods of time, necessitating multiple doses.1 This would include mobile clinics in rural and remote areas and nursing homes. This move makes it so that insurance is no longer required to cover these vaccines, even if they remain available on the market.
HHS claims that manufacturers will be able to replace the supply of vaccines for this upcoming flu season so vaccinations can continue uninterrupted. The vaccines currently on the market will not be withdrawn but may not be available to receive due to the rescinding of the recommendation for the vaccine.
“After more than 2 decades of delay, this action fulfills a long-overdue promise to protect our most vulnerable populations from unnecessary mercury exposure,”
It is unclear what the next steps are for ACIP and Kennedy when it comes to vaccines. The committee met on June 25 in the first of the traditional 3 annual meetings of the ACIP. The meeting included going over the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines, with
References
1. Mandavilli A. Kennedy rescinds endorsements for some flu vaccines. New York Times. July 23, 2025. Accessed July 24, 2025.
2. Bonavitacola J. Vaccine skeptics among CDC vaccine panel replacements named by RFK Jr. AJMC®. June 12, 2025. Accessed July 24, 2025.
3. US ends use of flu shots with thimerosal in latest move by health secretary Kennedy. Reuters. July 23, 2025. Accessed July 24, 2025.
4. Thimerosal and vaccines. CDC. December 19, 2024. Accessed July 24, 2025.
5. HHS adopts ACIP recommendation to remove thimerosal from all U.S. influenza vaccines. News release. HHS. July 23, 2025. Accessed July 24, 2025.
6. Steinzor P. CDC vaccine panel meets for first time after RFK Jr expelled former members. AJMC. June 25, 2025. Accessed July 24, 2025.
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