Introduction to Mercury-Free Vaccines Act of 2009

The Mercury-Free Vaccines Act of 2009 was introduced in the House of Representatives on May 21, 2009 by Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY 14). This bill (HR 2617) amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and the Public Health Service Act. Passage of the bill would ban any recommended childhood and adolescent vaccine, specified in 2009 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, that contains one or more micrograms of mercury per one dose of vaccine. The bill would also prohibit the administration of mercury-containing influenza vaccines to any child under the age of three years and pregnant women by the effective date of July 1, 2009. The age requirement for children would increase to six years of age by July 1, 2010. The bill would enable the Secretary of Health and Human Services to suspend this requirement for a specified period of time if he/she declares a public health emergency. It requires the Secretary to revise vaccine information to include a statement that indicates the presence of mercury in a vaccine and information on the availability of any mercury-free or reduced alternative vaccines.