The vast majority of research has failed to show any link between thimerosal and autism or other neurological issues.

Health experts were shocked to see that thimerosal, a preservative that has largely been phased out of U.S. vaccines, was on the ACIP agenda.

The overhauled US panel reviewing vaccine data backed the use of only thimerosal-free flu shots for Americans, taking aim at an ingredient that’s long been considered safe by scientists but erroneously linked with autism.