She added that U.S. health officials have not changed their stance regarding children here. "The Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration have not rescinded the 1999 directive to the pharmaceutical industry to take thimerosal out of childhood vaccines," she said.
And it's unlikely that the agencies will, Orenstein said. "I don't see any reason that the U.S. would add thimerosal back into childhood vaccines," he said.
So whatever happens with the U.N. treaty, it probably won't affect routine childhood vaccinations in the United States. But, Orenstein noted, a global ban on thimerosal could conceivably be a problem in the event of an emergency, such as a flu pandemic. If Americans were suddenly clamoring for the flu vaccine, multi-dose vials would be the best way to get it out quickly.
More information
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more about thimerosal in vaccines.
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