HomeHealthCDC Pushes to Remove Mercury-Based Thimerosal from Flu Vaccines
CDC Pushes to Remove Mercury-Based Thimerosal from Flu Vaccines

CDC Pushes to Remove Mercury-Based Thimerosal from Flu Vaccines

Sarah Johnson

Sarah Johnson

July 3, 2025

3 min read

Brief

CDC committee recommends phasing out mercury-based thimerosal from flu vaccines, prioritizing single-dose formulations for adults and children to address safety concerns.

The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has taken a bold step toward phasing out thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative, from flu vaccines. On June 27, 2025, the committee voted to recommend that all adults, including pregnant women, and children 18 and under receive seasonal influenza vaccines in single-dose formulations free of thimerosal. This move marks a significant shift in vaccine policy, addressing long-standing concerns about mercury exposure.

Thimerosal has been used since the 1930s to prevent bacterial and fungal contamination in multi-dose vaccines. While the CDC insists it’s safe, citing studies showing no harm from low doses, public skepticism persists. Back in 2001, thimerosal was removed from most childhood vaccines, but multi-dose flu shots still contain it. Now, with single-dose options widely available, the ACIP is pushing for a mercury-free future.

Dr. Jacob Glanville, CEO of Centivax, a San Francisco biotech firm, applauded the decision. "There are safer preservatives out there," he said, noting that his company’s vaccines avoid mercury entirely. This recommendation reflects a broader trend toward minimizing risks, even if theoretical, to rebuild trust in public health.

The decision isn’t just about science—it’s about perception. Mercury in vaccines sounds like a plot twist from a dystopian novel, and the public’s wariness is understandable. As the CDC aligns with this cautious approach, the move could set a precedent for global vaccine standards.

Topics

thimerosalflu vaccinesCDCmercury-free vaccinesimmunizationpublic healthvaccine safetysingle-dose vaccinesACIPhealth policyHealthVaccinesPublic Health

Editor's Comments

So, the CDC’s finally kicking thimerosal to the curb—like telling mercury it’s time to retire from its vaccine cameo. Why keep a 1930s preservative around when we’ve got safer options? It’s like choosing a flip phone over a smartphone. This move’s less about danger and more about dodging the public’s side-eye. Trust me, when ‘mercury’ is in the ingredient list, folks start picturing thermometers, not health.

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