CDC votes to phase-out controversial mercury-based ingredients in flu vaccines

A US key health panel voted to phase-out Thimerosal a mercury based preservative that is used in certain seasonal flu vaccines.

The vote was taken on June 27, 2020, at a meeting of ACIP (Advisory Committee on Immunisation Practices), a group which guides the national vaccine recommendations for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The committee recommended only that adults and children receive single-doses of flu vaccines free from thimerosal.

What is Thimerosal? Why is it controversial and what is its purpose?

Thimerosal is a preservative containing ethylmercury that has been in use since the 1930s. The CDC says it is safe.

The ingredient is still present in some multi-dose influenza vaccines that make up approximately 5 percent of the total doses.

Despite the fact that it has been used for decades and numerous studies have shown no adverse effects, thimerosal continues to be a target among anti-vaccine supporters, who often link it with neurological harm and autism.

ACIP’s most recent vote showed five votes in favor of eliminating thimerosal. One vote against and one abstention. Why is it that there’s a desire for its eradication?

Robert F Kennedy Jr. – a longtime vaccine opponent – reorganized the panel recently. Kennedy dismissed all 17 of the former members at the beginning of June, and replaced them by eight new members.

Critics claim that the agenda of this panel was influenced anti-vaccine remarks. Lyn, a nurse who founded the World Mercury Project (a precursor of Kennedy’s Children’s Health Defense), delivered a speech instead of a scheduled CDC presentation examining the scientific evidence for thimerosal’s effectiveness. According to reports, her presentation included at least a study that was not verified.

Responding to concerns, panel chair Dr Martin Kulldorff – a former Harvard professor sacked for refusing the Covid-19 vaccine – said, “It’s inappropriate to dismiss a presentation just because the person does not have a PhD or MD” (Cited by The Guardian).

Dr Cody Meissner, the lone ‘no’ vote and professor of paediatrics at Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine, warned that eliminating thimerosal could limit access to flu vaccines globally.

“The risk from influenza is so much greater than the nonexistent – as far as we know – risk from thimerosal,” Meissner said. “I would not want anyone to miss out on the influenza vaccine just because the only preparation available contains thimerosal.” (The Guardian.)

Global implications of phase out of thimerosal flu vaccines

Although ACIP’s recommendations directly affect only the United States, many are adopted worldwide, particularly in low-income countries. This is because multi-dose vials can be expensive and are difficult to store.

Thimerosal enables manufacturers to package influenza vaccines in vials for multiple patients, reducing costs and logistical challenges. Without it, some countries may be forced to switch from multi-dose formulations to single dose formulations that are more costly and difficult to distribute.

Dr Jacob Glanville, CEO of Centivax, a San Francisco biotech company, noted, “We support any effort to remove it entirely – there are other preservatives that are not based on mercury” (Cited by Fox News).

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