HHS Adopts ACIP Recommendation to Remove Thimerosal from All U.S. Influenza Vaccines

WASHINGTON, DC-JULY 23, 2025-U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. took action Tuesday signing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations to remove the mercury-based preservative thimerosal from all influenza vaccines distributed in the United States.

This move follows a 5-1 vote at the ACIP's June 25-26 meeting at CDC headquarters in Atlanta, where committee members voted that all children 18 years and younger, pregnant women, and adults receive only single-dose influenza vaccines free of mercury. Secretary Kennedy's signature formally adopts the recommendation into federal health policy, fulfilling a commitment to restore trust with Americans by removing risk while sustaining access to vaccines.

"After more than two decades of delay, this action fulfills a long-overdue promise to protect our most vulnerable populations from unnecessary mercury exposure," Secretary Kennedy said. "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."

The effort to remove mercury from childhood vaccines began in 1999 when the U.S. Public Health Service, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and vaccine manufacturers jointly agreed that any potential risk from mercury warranted its removal as soon as possible. This marks the final step to remove mercury from all vaccines given to Americans.

Secretary Kennedy's newly appointed ACIP members broke with long-standing inaction by voting to remove mercury entirely from all influenza vaccines, fulfilling the 1999 pledge and aligning U.S. policy with that of Europe, which phased out mercury additives years ago.

Vaccine manufacturers have confirmed they have the capacity to replace multi-dose vials containing mercury, ensuring the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program and adult vaccine supplies will remain uninterrupted.

The ACIP, composed of leading medical and public health experts, advises the CDC on vaccine safety, efficacy, and clinical necessity. This historic decision marks a critical step toward enhancing public confidence in vaccines and advancing the nation's commitment to safer immunization practices.

"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," Secretary Kennedy added.

Secretary Kennedy has approved all recommendations issued from the April ACIP meeting. Other recommendations from the committee's June meeting are currently under review.