A previously executed health campaign in Shreveport, Louisiana, highlighted the efforts of healthcare professionals in administering drive-thru flu vaccinations. Currently, the transition towards mercury-free influenza vaccines in the United States is in motion, following an official policy update from the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Although no definitive studies suggest harm from the use of thimerosal, a mercury-derived preservative, HHS is acting to eliminate its usage in flu vaccines.
This significant change to federal health policy comes as HHS Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr, endorsed a recommendation, initially proposed by the Advisory Committee on Immunisation Practices (ACIP) within the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention. With Kennedy Jr’s formal approval, the federal department is working towards superior immunization practices, aiming to reduce all unnecessary mercury exposure for vulnerable population groups.
Kennedy Jr. stated, while announcing this health policy, that eliminating mercury injections into children, where safe alternatives exist, is foremost a practice of public health responsibility. This idea was embraced after more than twenty years of ongoing discussions. Reflecting a ‘safety-first’ approach, Kennedy Jr’s signature reinforced a longstanding commitment to preventable health and safety measures.
Additional ACIP suggestions, presented during their June meeting, are presently being evaluated by HHS. Thimerosal had already been significantly reduced in vaccine production around 25 years prior, at the request of the US Food and Drug Administration. This request was based on an ‘excessive prudence’ approach, rather than any established evidence of harm.
The CDC has informed the public that vaccines routinely recommended for young children are now available in thimerosal-free variants. Multidose flu vaccines, however, still include thimerosal, as a necessary step to prevent possible bacterial contamination. Nonetheless, only a minor percentage – approximately 4% – of flu vaccines administered in the United States last year, utilized thimerosal as a preservative.
In its June session, ACIP cast a vote endorsing thimerosal-free vaccines, taking one of its initial actions as a committee constituted by Kennedy Jr. The members of the previous committee were dismissed by Kennedy Jr., citing potential conflicts of interest, resulting in the formation of the new ACIP.
The newly formed ACIP panel made the decision through a series of votes, finalizing with a 5-1 verdict, and one member abstaining, thereby recommending that in the US, only single-dose flu vaccines be actioned for children, adult, and pregnant women. Notably, these single-dose shots are devoid of thimerosal.
Despite this ongoing transition, thimerosal-containing vaccines still hold FDA approval. This doesn’t undermine the influence of the ACIP recommendations, which play a pivotal role in dictating vaccine usage in the US. This holds true with regards to determining insurance coverage and influencing state policies.
During the voting session, one panel member, a pediatrics professor, expressed his concern that exclusive preference for single-dose vials could create a vacuum in situations where only multidose shots are readily available. He feared this might limit the accessibility of influenza vaccines for specific groups of individuals.
The pediatrics professor emphasized the perceived risk imbalance, arguing that the potential harm from influenza far outweighs the unproven risk affiliated with thimerosal. He conveyed his concerns about individuals missing a vaccine due to an aversion to thimerosal. He concluded that perceived risk should not deter people from influenza vaccinations.
Moreover, some public health experts have expressed confusion regarding the inclusion of thimerosal in the ACIP’s discussions. A pediatrician with previous ties to the ACIP, representing the American Academy of Pediatrics, admitted having no knowledge of any pediatric practices actively using the multidose influenza vaccine.
At the aforementioned ACIP meeting, it was unanimously decided by the six committee members to carry on with the recommendation that everyone over the age of 6 months should receive a flu vaccine yearly.
The post Shift to Mercury-Free Vaccines in Motion in the US appeared first on Real News Now.
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