Kennedy's New Vaccine Crew: Thimerosal, Autism, and a Whole Lotta Mayhem (or Maybe Not?)

RFK Jr. Shakes Things Up: 'I Am Iron Man!'... Wait Wrong Guy

Alright people gather 'round. It's your friendly neighborhood Iron Man here to break down the latest government shenanigans. So Robert F. Kennedy Jr. – not to be confused with you know the GOOD Kennedys – has gone and stirred the pot by appointing a whole new batch of vaccine advisors. Apparently he wasn't happy with the old crew so he gave them the ol' 'You're fired!' treatment. Now this new team is set to discuss of all things thimerosal. Remember that stuff? Yeah the preservative that sparked a whole lot of… 'heated debates' about autism. Talk about a blast from the past. 'Doth mother know you weareth her drapes?' Because this smells like some serious vintage controversy.

Thimerosal: The Comeback Tour Nobody Asked For

For those of you who were too busy building arc reactors in your garages (guilty!) thimerosal is a mercury containing preservative used in some vaccines. It's been cleared by the FDA and every other reputable science organization known to man yet some people still freak out about it being linked to autism. Seriously it’s like arguing the Earth is flat… in space! But hey everyone's entitled to their own opinion even if it's completely bonkers. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is having a pow wow on June 26th to discuss whether to recommend vaccines containing thimerosal. It's like bringing parachute pants back in style... but with higher stakes.

The FDA's Verdict: 'Not Guilty!'

Let's get one thing straight: the FDA has been crystal clear on this. "The scientific evidence collected over the past 20+ years does not show any evidence of harm including serious neurodevelopmental disorders from use of thimerosal in vaccines." Translation: Move along folks nothing to see here. It's safer than a weekend with me and a bottle of scotch. And that's saying something. "Sometimes I want to punch you in your perfect teeth." but even I have to acknowledge some level headed opinions and statements sometimes.

Single Dose Savior: The Hero We Need

The good news is that most vaccines these days come in single dose packaging which doesn't require preservatives like thimerosal. It's like upgrading from a flip phone to a StarkPhone – sleek efficient and significantly less likely to cause a headache. However some multi dose flu vaccines still use thimerosal so this debate isn't going away anytime soon. It will be interesting to see if the new team will make thimerosal something of the past. Hopefully these multi dose vaccines don't 'make us dangerous'.

The New Guard: Vaccine Critics Take Center Stage

Here's where things get interesting. Kennedy's new advisors are known vaccine skeptics. It's like putting a pyromaniac in charge of the fire department. Will they stick to the science or will they go full tinfoil hat? I'm placing my bets on the latter but hey stranger things have happened. After all I once dated a woman who thought my Iron Man suit was just a really elaborate Halloween costume. This sounds like a "Fun isn't something one considers when balancing the universe. But this… does put a smile on my face."

Beyond Thimerosal: Covid RSV and the Future of Shots

But wait there's more! The ACIP will also be discussing other vaccines including those for Covid and RSV. So buckle up because this meeting could have a significant impact on immunization policy in the U.S. Who gets what shot whether insurers cover it – it's all on the table. Just remember folks trust the science (and maybe a billionaire genius playboy philanthropist every now and then). This is all a "very very complicated situation."