Overview

• The order enacts a June 26 ACIP vote, by a 5-1 margin, to remove thimerosal—a mercury-based preservative—from every influenza vaccine distributed in the United States.
• The measure was propelled by Lyn Redwood, newly added to ACIP by Kennedy, who presented anti-thimerosal arguments drawn from her tenure at Children’s Health Defense.
• Dr. Cody Meissner dissented as the sole vote against removal, pointing to extensive peer-reviewed studies and FDA assurances of thimerosal’s safety at the levels used in multi-dose vials.
• CDC staff documents show that 96% of flu doses in 2024–25 were already thimerosal-free, underscoring questions about the practical impact of the policy.
• Public health experts warn that eliminating multi-dose vials containing thimerosal could increase costs and constrain vaccine availability domestically and abroad.