Mercury-Free Vaccines Act of 2005

H.R. 881, the Mercury-Free Vaccines Act of 2005, proposed a phased-in ban on vaccines containing more than one microgram of mercury, specifically targeting the preservative thimerosal. The bill sought to prohibit the administration of mercury-containing flu shots to children under the age of three and pregnant women by 2006, extending that prohibition to children under six by 2007. Additionally, it would have required vaccine manufacturers to include clear labels regarding mercury content and information on how to obtain mercury-free alternatives. While the bill allowed for exceptions during public health emergencies or bioterrorist incidents, its primary goal was to eliminate mercury from the standard pediatric and maternal immunization schedule.