Why does some flu vaccine contain thimerosal?
Influenza (flu) vaccine is a new addition to the recommended childhood immunization schedule. In 2004, CDC added the vaccine to the childhood immunization schedule, recommending that children 6-23 months of age be vaccinated against flu each year. Inactivated influenza vaccine for children 6-23 months of age is currently available both with thimerosal as a preservative and preservative-free. For more information, see Thimerosal in Seasonal Flu Vaccine. The removal of thimerosal as a preservative from influenza vaccine is a complicated process. The total amount of flu vaccine without thimerosal as a preservative will increase as vaccine manufacturing capabilities are expanded. In the meantime, it is important to keep in mind that the benefits of influenza vaccination outweigh the theoretical risk, if any, for exposure to thimerosal. Each year, an average of about 36,000 people in the United States die from influenza, and 114,000 have to be admitted to the hospital as a result of influen
