Meissner scoffed on the committee even spending time on it. “So, of all the problems that I believe we, ACIP, must give attention to, this isn’t a giant challenge. … no examine has ever indicated any hurt from thimerosal. It has been utilized in vaccines … since earlier than World Battle II.
However he did specific concern that it might be faraway from the vaccine used globally.
“The suggestions the ACIP makes are adopted amongst many international locations all over the world,” he mentioned. “And eradicating thimerosal from all vaccines which might be utilized in different international locations, for instance, goes to scale back entry to those vaccines.”
Anti-vaccine agenda
Ultimately, the seven-member panel voted in favor of recommending solely these seasonal flu vaccines that didn’t comprise thimerosal. There have been three separate votes for this, making this advice for kids, pregnant girls, and all adults every, however all with the identical end result: 5 ‘sure’ votes, one ‘no’ vote (Meissner), and one abstention from anti-vaccine activist and nurse Vicky Pebsworth. After the vote, Pebsworth clarified that she didn’t assist using thimerosal in vaccines, however had a quibble with how the voting questions have been written.
Previous to the vote, ACIP Chair Martin Kulldorff gave a short presentation on the MMRV vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella/chickenpox). He previewed a proposed advice to vote on in a future assembly that might take away the CDC’s advice for that vaccine as nicely.
