CDC report: No evidence links thimerosal in vaccines to autism

The recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reinforces the longstanding consensus that there is no evidence linking thimerosal-containing vaccines to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This conclusion is supported by a substantial body of research spanning over 25 years, during which multiple studies have examined the safety and neurodevelopmental outcomes associated with these vaccines . The findings consistently indicate that thimerosal, a preservative used in multi-dose vaccines to inhibit microbial growth, does not contribute to an increased risk of developing ASD or other neurodevelopmental disorders.

The report, along with the meeting’s final agenda and other documents, was posted on the agency’s website on Tuesday.

Lyn Redwood, a former leader of anti-vaccine group Children’s Health Defense, is set to make a presentation on flu vaccines containing the preservative thimerosal at the meeting on Thursday.

Thimerosal has long been used in the United States in vials of medicines and vaccines that contain more than one dose, according to the CDC. It is added to some vaccines to prevent germs, such as bacteria and fungi, from growing in them.

The report posted on Tuesday reviewed existing evidence on thimerosal-containing vaccines and neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Secretary of HHS Kennedy disagrees. In his 2014 book, Thimerosal: Let the Science Speak: The Evidence Supporting the Immediate Removal of Mercury—a Known Neurotoxin—from Vaccines, he states , “there is a virtually unanimous scientific consensus among the hundreds of research scientists who have published peer-reviewed articles in the field that Thimerosal is immensely toxic to brain tissue.”

It’s also not the first time a report in Kennedy’s realm has been found to have faulty citations. The initial version of the Trump administration’s Make America Healthy Again report, released last month and focused on children’s health, also cited some studies that don’t exist. An HHS spokesperson called them “minor citation and formatting errors.”

In a hearing before the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee on Tuesday, Kennedy was questioned by Rep. Raul Ruiz, a Democrat and doctor from California, about the MAHA report errors.

Moreover, both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Institute of Medicine have corroborated this position, affirming that thimerosal-containing vaccines are safe for public use. As part of ongoing efforts to enhance vaccine safety, the prevalence of thimerosal in vaccinations has significantly declined due to advancements in vaccine formulation. Notably, during the 2024-2025 influenza season, approximately 96% of all influenza vaccines administered in the United States were thimerosal-free. This shift reflects a commitment to ensuring public health while addressing concerns surrounding vaccine ingredients.

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Sara H

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