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UPI
5 days ago
- Health
- UPI
Mercury preservative to be removed from all flu shots, CDC says
A nurse gives an influenza virus vaccine shot to a man at a Giant Pharmacy in Fairfax, Va., on Oct. 13, 2004. File Photo by Roger L. Wollenberg/UPI | License Photo July 23 (UPI) -- The mercury-based preservative thimerosal will be removed from all flu shots distributed in the United States, Health and Human Services Director Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said Wednesday. Kennedy made the change when he signed policies from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, according to a news release Wednesday. The committee voted 5-1 with one abstention for the changes at its meeting on June 25 and 26 in Atlanta. All people, including children, who receive a single dose of influenza will have them without mercury. Kennedy, who hasn't acted on other panel recommendations from June, signed the decision instead of the leader of the CDC. Susan Monarez, who is President Donald Trump's nominee to head the agency, hasn't been confirmed by the U.S. Senate. The committee also voted 6-0 to recommend all Americans age 6 months and older to receive an annual influenza vaccine. Flu vaccines are reformulated yearly because viruses mutate and evolve. Thimerosol was added to vials of vaccine that contain more than one dose to prevent the growth of germs, including bacteria and fungi. It was removed from children's vaccines in the United States in 2001. "After more than two decades of delay, this action fulfills a long-overdue promise to protect our most vulnerable populations from unnecessary mercury exposure," Kennedy said in a statement. "Injecting any amount of mercury into children when safe, mercury-free alternatives exist defies common sense and public health responsibility. Today, we put safety first." In 1999, the U.S. Public Health Service, the American Academy of Pediatrics and vaccine manufacturers agreed that any potential risk from mercury warranted removal as soon as possible. The advisory panel didn't act until Kennedy appointed new members in June to approve the changes, which was recommended by the European Medicines Agency in 2004. The eight committee members include some vaccine skeptics and pandemic response critics. The panel heard a presentation against thimerosal from Lyn Redwood, the former leader of Children's Health Defense, an anti-vaccine group founded by Kennedy. Redwood is listed as an "expert" on the HHS employee website. In the news release, vaccine manufacturers said they have the capacity to fill vials without mercury. "With the U.S. now removing mercury from all vaccines, we urge global health authorities to follow this prudent example for the protection of children worldwide," Kennedy said. The removal affects 4% to 5% of the flu vaccine supply in the U.S., CNBC reported. Multi-doses from Sanofi's Fluzone and two shots from CSL Sequirus included thimerosal. The other flu shots were free from it, according to the CDC. "We acknowledge the recommendation of the new Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)," Sanofi said in a statement to The Hill. "We will have sufficient supply of Sanofi flu vaccine to support customer preference for this season." The most common side effects from thimerosal in vaccines were red and swelling at the injection site with some people allergic to it, according to the CDC. In a book by Kennedy in 2014, he wrote thimerosal was "toxic to brain tissue" and likely caused autism. A 2010 CDC study found "that prenatal and infant exposure to vaccines and immunoglobulins that contain thimerosal does not increase risk for autism spectrum disorder." In all, more than 40 studies over several decades showed no connection between thimerosol and developmental delays. Flu shots for the 2025-2026 flu season are available starting in August.
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Business Standard
6 days ago
- Health
- Business Standard
US bans flu shots with thimerosal in RFK Jr led vaccine policy shift
The United States will stop distributing all influenza vaccines that contain mercury-based preservative thimerosal, marking the latest move by US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to reshape vaccine policy. Last month, a vaccine panel with members handpicked by Kennedy voted in favor of Americans receiving seasonal flu shots that are free from thimerosal, despite decades of studies showing no related safety issues. About 5 per cent of flu shots given in the US in the last flu season were multi-dose vials that contained the preservative, which was largely phased out decades ago. Anti-vaccine groups have for decades linked thimerosal to autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders, and Kennedy wrote a book in 2014 in which he advocated for "the immediate removal of mercury" from vaccines. The FDA on its website says "there was no evidence that thimerosal in vaccines was dangerous," and that the decision to remove it previously was a precautionary measure to decrease overall exposure to mercury among young infants. One of the panelists, who voted against the recommendation, had pointed out that the risk of not receiving the influenza vaccine because it contains thimerosal is greater than any known risks of the preservative. CSL's Afluria, and Flucelvax and Sanofi's Fluzone include thimerosal in multi-dose versions, according to the FDA's website. Kennedy accepted the panel's recommendation, the Department of Health and Human Services said on Wednesday, in the absence of the CDC director, who typically signs off on them before they are implemented. President Donald Trump's nominee for the CDC director, Susan Monarez, is yet to be confirmed by the US Senate. Other recommendations made by the panel, known as the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices, at a meeting in June are still under review, the HHS said. Vaccine manufacturers have confirmed that they have the capacity to replace multi-dose vials containing the preservative, ensuring that supplies will not be interrupted, HHS said. Sanofi said it acknowledges the new policy and will have sufficient supply of the flu vaccine this season. CSL did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
CNBC
6 days ago
- Health
- CNBC
U.S. to remove mercury preservative from flu shots following RFK Jr. vaccine panel vote
The Department of Health and Human Services on Wednesday said it will officially remove the mercury-based preservative thimerosal from all flu shots distributed in the U.S. – even though there is no evidence of harm from the ingredient. While few jabs still contain thimerosal, the move eliminates a vaccine option for Americans and is a win for the anti-vaccine movement, which has long targeted the ingredient. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. formally adopted a June recommendation from a key government vaccine panel, called the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, or ACIP, against influenza shots containing thimerosal. Earlier that month, Kennedy gutted that panel and restacked it with new members, including some widely known anti-vaccine activists. The decision affects roughly 4% to 5% of the U.S. flu vaccine supply. That includes some multi-dose forms of Sanofi's Fluzone and two shots from biotech company CSL Seqirus. The rest of the nation's flu shots were thimerosal-free during the last season of the virus, according to CDC data. Vaccine manufacturers have confirmed that they have the capacity to replace multi-dose vials containing mercury, HHS said. That will ensure that the flu vaccine for adults and a government program that provides shots to uninsured and underinsured children won't be interrupted, the agency added. Still, health experts have said that eliminating thimerosal-containing flu shots as an option for Americans could lead to fewer people receiving jabs. The move also reinforces longstanding, unfounded fears that the substance can lead to developmental disabilities, such as autism. Kennedy's vaccine skepticism comes full circle with ACIP's vote: A decade before stepping into his current role, he published a book that called for the removal of thimerosal from shots and linked it to developmental disorders. "After more than two decades of delay, this action fulfills a long-overdue promise to protect our most vulnerable populations from unnecessary mercury exposure," Kennedy said in a release, urging global health authorities to follow suit. More than 40 studies over several decades have found no link between thimerosal and developmental delays. Thimerosal has been widely used for decades as a preservative to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria in several medicines and vaccines with multiple doses. HHS said other recommendations from the panel's meeting in June are still under review.
CNBC
01-07-2025
- Health
- CNBC
Healthy Returns: What to know about a CDC vaccine panel's votes against a mercury preservative in flu shots
A revamped government panel of vaccine advisors with newly appointed immunization skeptics has voted against a mercury-containing shot ingredient that the anti-vaccine movement has long targeted. The group, called the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, or ACIP, voted Thursday to recommend annual single-dose flu vaccines to Americans and against influenza shots containing thimerosal – even though there is no evidence of harm from that preservative. It was the first ACIP meeting since Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. gutted the panel and stacked it with new members, including several well-known vaccine skeptics. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still needs to sign off on that recommendation. If the agency does, it would affect roughly 4% to 5% of the U.S. flu vaccine supply. The rest of the nation's flu shots were thimerosal-free during the last season of the virus, according to CDC data. But when it comes to vaccinating an entire country, "small percentages matter," Dr. Sean O'Leary, an infectious disease expert with the American Academy of Pediatrics, told reporters last week. If the few thimerosal-containing flu shots were removed from the market, "that would inevitably lead to fewer people being vaccinated, at least in the short term, perhaps longer term, and subsequently more hospitalizations and deaths," O'Leary said. The recommendation also reinforces longstanding, unfounded fears that the substance can lead to developmental disabilities, such as autism. Kennedy's vaccine skepticism comes full circle with the panel's vote: A decade before stepping into his current role, he published a book that called for the removal of thimerosal from shots and linked it to developmental disorders. "A very common anti-vaccine talking point is around thimerosal, so that's a very clear strategy to sow distrust in vaccines," O'Leary said. Here's why thimerosal is important. It has been widely used for decades as a preservative to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria in several medicines and vaccines with multiple doses. More than 40 studies over many decades have found no link between thimerosal and developmental delays. But its use in approved vaccines has dropped sharply as manufacturers have shifted to single-dose packaging for their shots, which doesn't require preservatives. The Food and Drug Administration around 25 years ago asked manufacturers to remove the substance from childhood vaccines out of an abundance of caution, not because of evidence of harm, according to the CDC. "The thought was, well, mercury is a scary sounding word, and let's just get it out, let's just make this a non-issue," O'Learly said. He added that "many studies have shown that it is entirely safe, is not associated with any neurodevelopmental disorders or any other adverse effects." Some multi-dose forms of flu vaccines for adults still contain thimerosal, including Sanofi's Fluzone and two shots from biotech company CSL Seqirus. One member of the panel, Dr. Cody Meissner, a professor of pediatrics at the Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, said he was worried that discouraging the use of multidose vials could increase the cost of vaccination and limit access for some groups. He also expressed concerns about the message the recommendation would send to other countries where the use of multi-dose flu vaccines is more common. "That might limit the availability of the influenza vaccine for some people," he said during the meeting after he voted against restricting thimerosal flu vaccines. Before the votes at the meeting, Lyn Redwood, a nurse practitioner who has been involved with anti-vaccine organizations, presented on thimerosal in flu vaccines. Redwood is among the "mercury moms" who pushed for Kennedy to get involved with mercury and children's health. She has also served for years as president of Children's Health Defense, the anti-vaccine organization founded by Kennedy. Feel free to send any tips, suggestions, story ideas and data to Annika at Health-care data platform Arcadia has been acquired by the private equity firm Nordic Capital, the companies announced on Tuesday. Arcadia turns health-care data into predictive insights that payers and providers can use to help improve care for patients, reduce costs and increase revenue. The company characterized the deal with Nordic Capital as a "strategic partnership" where the firm will become the "majority owner" of Arcadia, according to a release. Michael Meucci, Arcadia's CEO, said working with Nordic Capital will allow Arcadia to continue to improve its customer experience, expand on its artificial intelligence capabilities, explore new M&A opportunities and drive growth in its core segments, including value-based care. "It's hugely validating," Meucci told CNBC in an interview. "It's validating that there are large-cap institutional investors who are as committed to transforming us (U.S.?) health care and global health care as we have been." Arcadia and Nordic Capital did not disclose the terms of the acquisition. The deal is expected to close in the second half of the year, though it's still subject to regulatory approvals. Meucci said he's known the Nordic Capital team for a couple years, and that the firm had been watching Arcadia's progress as a business. Arcadia is profitable and carried out a successful acquisition last year. Meucci said these milestones helped Nordic Capital feel confident that the company was ready for its next stage of growth. Arcadia last raised outside funding in 2023, when it announced $125 million in financing from Vista Credit Partners. Nordic Capital's acquisition serves as an exit for earlier investors, Arcadia said. "This partnership aligns seamlessly with Nordic Capital's investment strategy and Nordic Capital is excited to support Arcadia in its next phase of growth," Daniel Berglund, partner and co-head of health care at Nordic Capital, said in a statement. TripleTree served as Nordic Capital's financial advisor for the transaction, and Lazard advised Arcadia. "This is just a further reinforcement of our mission, that we have to change the cost of health care," Meucci said. Read the full release here. Feel free to send any tips, suggestions, story ideas and data to Ashley at
CNBC
18-06-2025
- Health
- CNBC
RFK Jr.'s new vaccine advisors will vote on flu shots containing mercury
A key, revamped government panel of vaccine advisors appointed by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will soon vote on a shot preservative that contains mercury, which is safely used in some flu jabs but has been incorrectly linked to autism in the past. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, or ACIP, will hear a presentation about the preservative, called thimerosal, at a planned meeting on June 26. The panel will also vote on "thimerosal-containing vaccine" recommendations, according to a draft agenda for the two-day meeting posted on Wednesday. It is the panel's first meeting with Kennedy's newly appointed members, many of whom are well-known vaccine critics. He named the eight advisors last week after firing the previous 17 members of the committee, which advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on vaccine policy. It is unclear what will be discussed in the presentation or what exactly the panel will vote on. Thimerosal has been widely used for decades as a preservative to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria in several medicines and vaccines with multiple doses. But its use in approved vaccines has dropped sharply as manufacturers have shifted to single-dose packaging for their shots, which don't require preservatives. Some multi-dose forms of flu vaccines for adults still contain thimerosal, including Sanofi's Fluzone and two shots from biotech company CSL Seqirus. All vaccines routinely recommended for children 6 years of age and younger in the U.S. are available in formulations that do not contain thimerosal, according to the Food and Drug Administration. The FDA and other health bodies have emphasized that many well-conducted scientific studies have found no link between thimerosal and autism, despite unfounded concerns decades ago about a potential connection. "The scientific evidence collected over the past 20+ years does not show any evidence of harm, including serious neurodevelopmental disorders, from use of thimerosal in vaccines," the FDA said on its website. The new ACIP members will play a significant role in shaping immunization policy in the U.S., as the panel reviews vaccine data and makes recommendations that determine who is eligible for shots and whether insurers should cover them, among other efforts. The committee is also slated to review data and vote on other vaccines, including shots for Covid and RSV during the two-day meeting.
