C.D.C. Committee Votes Against Flu Shots With the Preservative Thimerosal

An expert panel that advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on vaccines voted Thursday to no longer recommend annual flu shots that contain the preservative thimerosal.

The move gives credence to the long debunked theory that the ingredient — which has been used in vaccines for nearly a century — is linked to neurodevelopmental problems. Medical experts said the decision also represents a jarring departure from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices history of making decisions based on strong scientific data.

“A.C.I.P. makes recommendations based on scientific evidence as much as possible,” said Dr. Cody Meissner, an expert in pediatric infectious disease epidemiology and voting member of the panel.

“There is no scientific evidence that thimerosal has caused a problem,” he added.

The vote followed a presentation from Lyn Redwood, a former leader of a prominent anti-vaccine group. Ms. Redwood perpetuated the idea that the mercury-based preservative is “neurotoxic” and harmful for pregnant women and children — claims that are contradicted by dozens of rigorous studies and have largely been rejected by vaccine scientists. Her presentation drew harsh criticism from the medical community, who questioned why a C.D.C. scientist did not lead the presentation, as is custom.

“Many statements made here today were without support of science and evidence but merely opinion,” said Dr. Jason Goldman, president of the American College of Physicians at the meeting.

The presentation came at the first committee meeting since the health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., fired all of the previous 17 members and appointed a controversial slate of new members, including several people with a track record speaking against vaccines.