Flu Shots to Remove Thimerosal

Health and Human Services Secretary Kennedy has signed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommendations to remove the mercury-based preservative thimerosal from all influenza vaccines distributed in the United States.

This marks the final step in removing mercury from all vaccines administered to Americans.

The effort to remove mercury from childhood vaccines began in 1999 when the U.S. Public Health Service, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and vaccine manufacturers jointly agreed that any potential risk from mercury warranted its removal as soon as possible.

A statement issued by HHS on July 23, 2025, Secretary Kennedy wrote, "After more than two decades of delay, this action fulfills a long-overdue promise to protect our most vulnerable populations from unnecessary mercury exposure."

"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."

Since 2025-2026 influenza vaccines have already been shipt to pharmacies in the U.S., the implementation of this change may be deployed.