RFK Jr. appoints vaccine critics to panel to vote on use of thimerosal in flu shots.

From CNBC: 2025-06-18 14:05:00

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Secretary of Education Linda McMahon attended a Make America Healthy Again Commission event at the White House. A government panel of vaccine advisors appointed by Kennedy will vote on a shot preservative containing mercury, which has been incorrectly linked to autism in the past.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices will discuss the preservative, thimerosal, at a meeting on June 26. Kennedy appointed new members, including vaccine critics, to the panel. It is unclear what the presentation will cover or what the panel will vote on regarding thimerosal.

Thimerosal is used as a preservative in some flu vaccines, but its use has decreased with the shift to single-dose packaging. Multi-dose flu vaccines for adults may still contain thimerosal. Studies have found no link between thimerosal and autism, despite concerns in the past.

The new ACIP members will influence immunization policy in the U.S. by reviewing vaccine data and making recommendations on eligibility and insurance coverage. The panel will also review and vote on other vaccines, including those for Covid and RSV, during the meeting.



Read more at CNBC: RFK Jr.’s new vaccine advisors will vote on flu shots with mercury