AAP

AAP stands by thimerosal-containing flu vaccines despite federal pushback

July 30, 2025

AAP issued its 2025–2026 influenza vaccination recommendations, urging immunization for all children aged 6 months and older with any age-appropriate, licensed vaccine—regardless of formulation, including those containing thimerosal. This guidance diverges from a recent HHS decision—based on a CDC advisory committee vote—to eliminate thimerosal from all U.S. flu vaccines, a move the AAP counters with longstanding evidence of the preservative’s safety and the importance of maintaining access to multi-dose vials.

The call to action follows a concerning 2024–2025 flu season, during which only 49.2% of children aged 6 months to 17 years were vaccinated—a 14.5 percentage point drop from 2020. CDC also reported 266 pediatric flu deaths, the highest number recorded in any non-pandemic season since influenza became nationally reportable in 2004.

Sources:

Schering, S. (2025, July 28). American Academy of Pediatrics. AAP releases 2025-’26 flu vaccine recommendations; efforts to increase vaccination ‘urgently needed’. https://publications.aap.org/aapnews/news/32712/AAP-releases-2025-26-flu-vaccine-recommendations

Committee on Infectious Diseases. (2025, July 28). Pediatrics. Recommendations for Prevention and Control of Influenza in Children, 2025-2026: Policy Statement. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40717223/

(2025, July 23). HHS Adopts ACIP Recommendation to Remove Thimerosal from All U.S. Influenza Vaccines [Press Release]. https://www.hhs.gov/press-room/thimerosal-mercury-removed-from-us-flu-vaccines-acip.html