HHS Secretary’s Longstanding Campaign Culminates in CDC Panel’s Vote, Despite Scientific Consensus on Safety

WASHINGTON – U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has achieved a decades-long goal, signing off on a recommendation to eliminate the mercury-based preservative thimerosal from all influenza vaccines distributed in the United States, effective July 23, 2025. The decision, which follows a June vote by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), marks a significant victory for Kennedy and the anti-vaccine movement, though it has sparked concerns among health experts about reinforcing debunked fears linking thimerosal to autism.

The ACIP, recently restructured by Kennedy with several vaccine-skeptic members, voted to recommend that children, pregnant women, and adults receive only single-dose flu vaccines, which are free of thimerosal, a preservative used in some multi-dose vials to prevent bacterial contamination. Kennedy, who has long claimed thimerosal causes neurological harm, hailed the move as fulfilling “a long-overdue promise to protect our most vulnerable populations from unnecessary mercury exposure.”

Kennedy’s advocacy against thimerosal dates back to 2005, when he published a controversial article in Rolling Stone and Salon alleging a conspiracy to cover up the preservative’s dangers, including claims it caused autism in children. These assertions have been repeatedly debunked by numerous peer-reviewed studies, including a 2004 Institute of Medicine review and nine CDC-funded studies since 2003, which found no evidence of harm from thimerosal in vaccines. The preservative was largely phased out of childhood vaccines by 2001, except for some flu vaccine formulations, as a precautionary measure following concerns raised in the late 1990s.

The decision impacts approximately 4% to 5% of the U.S. flu vaccine supply, primarily multi-dose vials of Sanofi’s Fluzone and two CSL Seqirus shots. The Department of Health and Human Services stated that vaccine manufacturers have the capacity to replace these with thimerosal-free single-dose vials, ensuring no disruption to flu vaccine availability, including for programs serving uninsured and underinsured children.

Critics, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, argue the move could undermine public confidence in vaccines by lending credence to discredited theories. “Elevating this debunked myth to national policy sets the stage for actions that may erode vaccine trust,” wrote MedPage Today Editor-in-Chief Jeremy Faust. A CDC document detailing no link between thimerosal and autism was reportedly removed from meeting materials without explanation, raising concerns about transparency.

Kennedy’s influence on the ACIP, where he replaced the entire 17-member panel with a smaller group including anti-vaccine advocates, has drawn scrutiny. A presentation by Lyn Redwood, former president of Kennedy’s Children’s Health Defense, preceded the vote, emphasizing thimerosal’s alleged risks despite scientific evidence to the contrary.

Supporters on X celebrated the decision, with posts calling it a step toward “greening our vaccines” and removing “toxic mercury.” However, health experts warn that eliminating thimerosal-containing vaccines could reduce options for Americans, potentially leading to lower vaccination rates.

The move reflects Kennedy’s broader “Make America Healthy Again” agenda, which has included controversial changes like removing COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for pregnant women and healthy children, prompting a lawsuit from medical organizations alleging violations of federal law. As Kennedy continues to shape U.S. vaccine policy, the thimerosal ban underscores the tension between his advocacy and established scientific consensus, with implications for public health trust and vaccine uptake nationwide.