Overview

• The ACIP voted 5-1 to recommend against use of thimerosal-containing multi-dose flu vaccines in children, pregnant women and adults, endorsing single-dose, mercury-free shots.
• The panel also approved a 5-2 recommendation favoring the antibody treatment clesrovimab for infants to prevent respiratory syncytial virus, joining existing infant and maternal RSV interventions.
• Anti-vaccine activist Lyn Redwood presented unvetted claims linking thimerosal to neurodevelopmental disorders, shaping the committee’s thimerosal discussion.
• Dr. Cody Meissner was the sole dissenting vote on the flu preservative measure, warning that limiting multi-dose vials could restrict vaccine access in resource-limited settings.
• With no confirmed CDC director, adoption of the panel’s recommendations is uncertain; experts caution that reviving thimerosal concerns may erode public confidence in immunization programs and raise costs.