Fact Check: "Five members voted to restrict thimerosal; only one opposed the decision."
What We Know
Recently, an advisory panel appointed by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. voted to recommend against the use of thimerosal in flu vaccines. According to reports, five members of the panel voted in favor of this recommendation, while only one member opposed it (source-1, source-5). This decision has sparked controversy, particularly because thimerosal has been used in vaccines for nearly a century and has been widely studied without credible evidence linking it to neurodevelopmental issues (source-1).
The panel's decision followed a presentation from Lyn Redwood, a former leader of an anti-vaccine group, which has been criticized for lacking scientific support (source-1). The CDC had previously stated that the evidence does not support an association between thimerosal and any neurodevelopmental disorders (source-1).
Analysis
The claim that "five members voted to restrict thimerosal; only one opposed the decision" is supported by multiple sources. Reports confirm that five members of the newly constituted Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted in favor of the recommendation against thimerosal, while Dr. Cody Meissner was the sole dissenting voice (source-2, source-5).
However, the context surrounding this vote is critical. The new panel was appointed by Kennedy, who has a history of skepticism towards vaccines and has previously expressed concerns about thimerosal (source-2). This raises questions about the impartiality of the panel's decision-making process. Critics, including former CDC officials, have expressed concern that the new panel may not be adhering to the rigorous scientific standards that previous committees upheld (source-2, source-5).
The dissenting opinion from Dr. Meissner, who is a respected pediatric infectious disease expert, emphasizes that the risks associated with influenza far outweigh any purported risks from thimerosal (source-2). This suggests that while the vote count is accurate, the implications of the decision are contentious and may not reflect a consensus in the scientific community.
Conclusion
The claim that "five members voted to restrict thimerosal; only one opposed the decision" is Partially True. While the vote count is accurate, the context of the decision—particularly the composition of the panel and the motivations behind the vote—suggests a significant departure from established scientific consensus regarding thimerosal. The decision has been criticized for potentially undermining public trust in vaccines, and the dissenting opinion highlights ongoing debates about vaccine safety.
Sources
- C.D.C. Committee Votes Against Flu Shots With the Preservative Thimerosal - New York Times
- RFK Jr.'s New Advisers Rescind Recommendations for ... - New York Times
- Vaccine panel backs RFK Jr. in opposing thimerosal, a flu ... - The Hill
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- Kennedy's vaccine panel votes to remove preservative long ... - POLITICO
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- CDC vaccine advisory committee recommends against flu ... - ABC News
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