Is thimerosal-free influenza vaccine available this season?
Thimerosal-free vaccine is in production by all manufacturers and an increased supply is anticipated this season. Sanofi pasteur produces thimerosal-free doses of influenza vaccine. Most will be in 0.25 mL prefilled syringes, indicated for children ages 6-35 months. The rest will be in 0.5 mL prefilled syringes or vials, indicated for people ages 3 years and up. GlaxoSmithKline’s influenza vaccine, for people ages 18 and up, is preservative-free, and Novartis (formerly Chrion) has a preservative-free presentation for people ages 4 and older. Flumist™, the intranasal influenza vaccine, is also thimerosal-free.
