This from the archives:

LizaJane10-29-2006, 01:18 AM
Every year at around this time there is a debate on the neuro boards about whether or not to get the flu vaccine.

I have one point I want to make about it. SOME of the flu vaccine is made with thimerisol, which contains mercury. Mercury is a neurotoxin.

Not all flu vaccine has mercury. I recommend that anyone with sensitive nerves be sure to check the manufacturer of the vaccine. Here's what the CDC says on their website:

Today, all routinely recommended licensed pediatric vaccines that are currently being manufactured for the U.S. market, with the exception of influenza vaccine, contain no thimerosal or only trace amounts. Thimerosal preservative-free influenza vaccines are available, but in limited quantities. The total amount of inactivated influenza vaccine available without thimerosal as a preservative will continue to increase as manufacturing capabilities are expanded.

Does the influenza vaccine contain thimerosal?
Yes, the majority of influenza vaccines distributed in the United States currently contain thimerosal as a preservative. However, some contain only trace amounts of thimerosal and are considered by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be preservative-free. Manufacturers of preservative-free flu vaccine use thimerosal early in the manufacturing process. The thimerosal gets diluted as the vaccine goes through the steps in processing. By the end of the manufacturing process there is not enough thimerosal left in the vaccine to act as a preservative and the vaccine is labeled ‘preservative-free'.

I am not sure if this is still the case with this year's flu shots. I am sure someone with more knowledge on this subject will answer soon. There are so many new people here that I believe this information is very important. I personally have not gotton a shot in 3-4 years.