Will U.S. vaccine stocks face a huge shock? U.S. officials will vote on the flu vaccine and thimerosal

According to Zhitong Finance APP, the reformed U.S. Vaccine Data Review Panel will soon vote on a mercury-containing compound and a common childhood vaccine. Previously, the panel announced it would re-examine the childhood vaccination schedule. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is expected to determine which influenza virus strains should be included in the fall vaccines on Thursday and vote on whether to use thimerosal (a mercury-containing vaccine preservative). Thimerosal prevents bacterial growth in multi-dose vials, making vaccine administration more convenient. After postponing the decision from the originally scheduled meeting on Wednesday, the committee will also vote on Merck's (MRK.US) monoclonal antibody therapy Enflonsia (a single-dose vaccine for infants to prevent the common respiratory virus RSV).

The panel will hear reports on the use of measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella vaccines in children under 4 years old. Currently, the first dose of the MMRV vaccine is typically administered to infants aged 12 to 15 months. Health experts say this discussion may provide some clues on how the committee will handle recommended vaccines in the future. A spokesperson for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which oversees the advisory panel, did not clarify the specifics of the ACIP's upcoming votes on influenza virus strains and thimerosal.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), recently dismissed previous vaccine experts from the ACIP and appointed new members, many of whom hold anti-vaccine views.

According to Chairman Martin Kulldorff, the restructured expert panel indicated on Wednesday that it would re-examine the current childhood immunization schedule, including vaccination programs that have not been reviewed for seven years. This includes the hepatitis B vaccine, which is administered within 24 hours of an infant's birth. Without treatment, this disease can lead to severe chronic conditions, including liver cancer.

Shortly thereafter, the American Academy of Pediatrics announced it would no longer collaborate with the CDC's immunization program but would continue to publish its own vaccination schedule.

Additionally, on Wednesday, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced on the social media platform "X" that the U.S. would stop funding the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (Gavi), further indicating that he would no longer promote vaccination efforts in the U.S.

Measles Vaccine

The discussion on the MMR vaccine on Thursday comes amid a measles outbreak in the U.S., which has resulted in the deaths of two children in Texas and one adult in New Mexico. Kulldorff, who is skeptical of the COVID vaccine, will lead the discussion on the MMR vaccine.

Angela Rasmussen, a virologist and research scientist at the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization, expressed concern that the committee might decide not to approve the MMRV vaccine in the future. She stated, "There is currently no data indicating that it poses safety risks or is ineffective, and it has been in use for over 15 years." If this vaccine is no longer recommended for use or deemed unsafe, it could be a blow to the manufacturer Merck (MRK.US). This vaccine, named ProQuad, is one of three combination vaccines that prevent measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox, generating approximately $2.5 billion in revenue annually, making it Merck's fourth-largest source of income.

Thimerosal Component

Anti-vaccine supporters have long opposed the use of thimerosal in vaccines, claiming that this mercury-containing compound may cause autism.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, thimerosal is used in multi-dose vials of adult flu vaccines sold by Sanofi (SNY.US) and CSL. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that this compound has never been proven to pose safety risks and is not associated with the onset of autism, and it was removed from most childhood vaccines in the early 20th century.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been a strong opponent of thimerosal and called for its removal from vaccines in a book published in 2014. Lyn Redwood will lead discussions on thimerosal. Redwood is a nurse who helped establish the World Mercury Project, which later evolved into the "Children's Health Defense," an organization that fights against vaccines and other substances it labels as toxins. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has led this organization.

The group meeting will also discuss matters related to the chikungunya vaccine. This vaccine is not included in the federal adult immunization schedule. It is intended for international travel and aims to prevent this mosquito-borne disease. In May of this year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended pausing the use of this vaccine in individuals aged 60 and older, stating that health officials would investigate adverse reactions.

Tina Tan, president of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, stated, "The meetings and actions of those who openly oppose vaccines are 'undermining public trust in our vaccines and our system.' We are taking the American healthcare system back to a state it was in 100 years ago."