Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s vaccine panel has voted to cease recommending flu vaccines containing thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative. Kennedy characterized thimerosal as a toxic carcinogenic neurotoxin and claimed there are high mercury levels in flu shots for pregnant women and children. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) was restructured, adding members who have expressed skepticism about vaccines. Thimerosal's use in vaccines has been examined extensively, and it has been argued that it prevents contamination, though it remains controversial.
Thimerosal is a mercury-based preservative used in some vaccines, notably flu vaccines, which has been under scrutiny for its potential toxicity, particularly by certain health advocates.
Kennedy described thimerosal as a toxic substance, labeling it as a carcinogenic 'potent neurotoxin' based on hundreds of studies.
The removal of thimerosal from flu vaccines reflects growing concerns about the safety of vaccine ingredients among certain groups and substantial historical debate within public health.
Despite thimerosal's presence in vaccines, it has been noted that differences in mercury types—ethylmercury in vaccines vs. methylmercury in seafood—have implications for safety.
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