Fact Check: New CDC Vaccine Panel Faces Backlash for Controversial Thimerosal Presentation
What We Know
Recently, a presentation regarding the use of thimerosal as a vaccine preservative was scheduled to be discussed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advisory panel. This presentation has sparked significant backlash due to its reliance on a study that does not exist. The report, titled “Thimerosal as a Vaccine Preservative”, was to be presented by Lyn Redwood, a former leader of the anti-vaccine group Children’s Health Defense. It cited a study purportedly authored by UC Davis Professor Emeritus Robert Berman, titled “Low-level neonatal thimerosal exposure: Long-term consequences in the brain,” which Berman himself stated does not exist. He clarified that he co-authored a similarly named study published in a different journal that reached different conclusions regarding thimerosal's effects (Reuters, CNN).
The CDC has previously stated that thimerosal is no longer used in most vaccines given to children, with 94% of all influenza vaccines in the U.S. being thimerosal-free during the 2024-2025 season (CDC). However, the presentation's claims and the controversy surrounding it have reignited discussions about vaccine safety and the misinformation surrounding thimerosal.
Analysis
The backlash stems from the presentation's reliance on a non-existent study, which raises serious questions about the credibility of the claims being made. The scientist cited as the author, Robert Berman, explicitly denied endorsing the misrepresentation of research, stating, “We did not examine the effects of thimerosal in microglia… I do not endorse this misrepresentation of the research” (Reuters). This statement highlights the potential for misinformation to influence public perception and policy regarding vaccines.
The source of the presentation, Lyn Redwood, has a history of association with anti-vaccine advocacy, which could introduce bias into the presentation's claims (CNN). The CDC's prior findings indicate no evidence linking thimerosal-containing vaccines to autism, which contradicts the narrative pushed by some anti-vaccine groups (CDC, Reuters).
Furthermore, the CDC's advisory panel is meant to rely on sound scientific evidence, and the inclusion of a non-existent study undermines the integrity of the panel's recommendations. The backlash reflects broader concerns about the influence of misinformation in public health discussions, particularly regarding vaccines, which are critical for preventing disease.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that the new CDC vaccine panel faces backlash for a controversial thimerosal presentation is true. The controversy arises from the presentation's citation of a non-existent study, which has been publicly disavowed by the scientist it purportedly references. This misrepresentation not only raises ethical concerns but also highlights the ongoing struggle against misinformation in vaccine discourse.
Sources
- Thimerosal-Containing Vaccines Summary of Evidence
- Thimerosal as a Vaccine Preservative
- US CDC Vaccine Presentation Cites Study That Does Not Exist, Author Says
- Presentation for CDC Advisers Appears to Cite Nonexistent Study to Support Claims About Risk of Vaccine Preservative
- US CDC Vaccine Presentation Cites Study That Does Not Exist
- Kennedy's US Vaccine Panel Breaks Norms, Plans to Review
- Gestion du temps : principes, outils et méthodes - Manager GO!
- Presentation for CDC Advisers Appears to Cite Nonexistent Study