A new panel of U.S. vaccine advisers, appointed by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is set to vote on flu shots that contain thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative, and discuss recommendations for other vaccines at an upcoming meeting scheduled for June 25 and 26. This panel, advising the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), will also vote on recommendations for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza vaccines.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been a vocal critic of vaccines for decades, often raising concerns about ingredients like thimerosal, which he claims is a neurotoxin linked to developmental issues. Thimerosal, a mercury-containing preservative, was historically used in multi-dose vaccine vials to prevent bacterial contamination. While it has been removed or reduced to trace amounts in most childhood vaccines, it remains present in some versions of the flu vaccine. The CDC states that there is no evidence of harm caused by the low doses of thimerosal in vaccines, apart from minor reactions at the injection site.
The appointment of this new advisory panel follows an unprecedented move by Kennedy to dismiss all 17 previous members of the committee. Critics have expressed concern that the new panel, comprised of individuals who have previously voiced skepticism about vaccines or criticized vaccine recommendations, may not have the necessary expertise and could potentially promote an “anti-vaccine agenda.” Kennedy, however, stated that the new members are committed to “evidence-based medicine, gold-standard science, and common sense,” and will demand definitive safety and efficacy data before making new recommendations.
The discussion around thimerosal in vaccines has been ongoing for years. Kennedy and his allies have questioned why it is still present in some flu shots, especially since regulatory agencies like the FDA have expressed a desire for it to be removed from all vaccines. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) even considers products containing thimerosal to be hazardous waste, leading to a perceived contradiction in its use in vaccines administered to children and pregnant women. Kennedy’s stance on vaccines has been characterized as promoting doubt and relying on isolated studies, often contrary to extensive scientific research that demonstrates the safety and efficacy of vaccines in preventing serious diseases.
The upcoming meeting of the vaccine advisory panel will be crucial in shaping future vaccine policy and recommendations in the United States. The decisions made by this panel, particularly regarding the flu vaccine and its components, will be closely watched by public health officials, medical professionals, and the public alike.
