Thimerosal Tempest: Snake Oil, Vaccines, and Government Sabotage!

The Plot Thickens: Government Panel Gone Rogue!

Right so picture this: I'm trekking through the jungles of bureaucracy machete in hand when I stumble upon something truly disturbing. Seems some government panel the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) – sounds like a secret society doesn't it? – has voted against flu shots containing thimerosal. Thimerosal you ask? It's a mercury containing ingredient that's been targeted by the anti vaccine crowd. I hate these guys! Reminds me of the Thuggee cult... Only less charming.

Kennedy's Gambit: A Twist Worthy of a Saturday Serial!

Now here's the kicker: this ACIP panel was shall we say 'revamped' by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Seems our friend Bobby decided to stack the deck with… vaccine skeptics! It's like finding out Belloq was secretly funding the Nazis. "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"... or in this case skeptics. Either way it's bad news.

The Perilous Percentage: When Small Numbers Matter!

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) still needs to sign off on this recommendation. But if they do it could affect a small percentage of the US flu vaccine supply. Now you might think "Eh small potatoes Indy." But Dr. Sean O'Leary an infectious disease expert says small percentages matter! Removing those few thimerosal containing shots could lead to fewer vaccinations more hospitalizations and… dun dun DUN… more deaths! This is like when Short Round almost got sacrificed to Mola Ram! Every life counts!

Unfounded Fears: The Ghosts of Bad Science!

The real danger here is that this decision reinforces those long standing totally bogus fears that thimerosal causes developmental disabilities like autism. Kennedy himself even wrote a book about it! It's like believing in those Voodoo dolls that Lao Che was so fond of. Pure hokum I tell you! "They're covered with spiders. Why did it have to be spiders?"... or in this case misguided fears.

The Thimerosal Truth: It's Safer Than a Ride in a Mine Cart!

Listen up because this is important: thimerosal has been used for decades to prevent bacteria in multi dose vaccines. And over 40 studies have shown NO LINK to developmental delays. The FDA even asked manufacturers to remove it from childhood vaccines out of an abundance of caution – not because of any actual harm. So basically it's safer than trying to outrun a giant boulder! But a professor named Dr. Cody Meissner has worries about the cost of vaccination and this recommendation would deliver a bad message to other countries.

Arcadia's Acquisition: A Golden Idol Worthy of Pursuit!

In other news a company called Arcadia which helps improve healthcare has been acquired by Nordic Capital. Good for them! Hopefully they'll use their newfound riches to fund REAL archaeology not this treasure hunting nonsense. I suppose I can't complain too much; it does give me a chance to flex my muscles. After all Archaeology is the search for fact not truth. If it's truth you're interested in Dr. Tyree's Philosophy Class is right down the hall.