Thimerosal-free vs. Preservative-free: Is there a Difference?
November 9, 2007Did you know that if you eat fish or wear contacts (and use contact solution) then you are getting the same levels of mercury that you would with the majority of Flu Vaccine currently in use? Most people I talk to about the differences in vaccines don’t realize that. Right now, you may be asking this question: What is Thimerosal anyway? Thimerosal is a mercury-based preservative in a variety of vaccines and household items, like contact solution. There has been a lot of research over the years about the Thimerosal Preservative which is used in many vaccines. Debates and essays abound on the subject. Many people call us asking for the “Preservative Free Flu Shot” not knowing that they are asking for something other than that of which they seek. So, I’m here to tell you the difference!
The Thimerosal-free flu shot is 100% ‘clean’, meaning that it has absolutely no preservatives and therefore absolutely no thimerosal. This “thim-free” shot can be given to ages 6-35 months as a pediatric dose, and to 36 months and older as the adult dose. The pediatric dose currently costs $55.00, while the adult dose costs $75.00. The Intranasal Flu Vaccine (Flu Mist) is thimerosal-free as well and costs $40.00.
The Preservative-free flu shot has a very trace amount (< 1 microgram) of thimerosal, which falls below the FDA guidelines so that it can be called “preservative-free”. This shot can only be given to people over 18 years of age, but it’s the same price as the Standard Flu Shot ($25.00).
The Regular flu shot has approximately 25 micrograms of thimerosal, and can be given to anyone 6 months of age or older. The cost of this vaccine is also $25.00. Also, if you have a child ages 6 months to 9 years old and this will be their very first flu shot in their life, they would need a total of 2 doses, a month apart from each other. The first shot is a “primer” while the 2nd shot is actually what immunizes them.
Please check out our website for our Flu Clinics and Hours: Passport Health Colorado Flu Clinic Page. Now for the stock levels in our offices:
Flu Mist – We have SOLD OUT of Flu Mist 3 weeks ago. We will not be able to receive any more this season, however next year feel free to contact us closer to the beginning of October and we will most likely have it in, ready and there should be no fight for it.
Thimerosal-free Shot - We have also SOLD OUT of all of our thim-free doses earlier this week. We will not be able to receive any more this season, however next year feel free to contact us closer to the beginning of October and we will most likely have it in, ready and there should be no fight for it.
Preservative-Free Shot – We have about 10 doses in each of our 4 offices at this time.
Regular Flu Shot – We have PLENTY!! Come on in during our walk-in clinics or call us to schedule an appointment: 303-442-8728 or 719-387-5528.
Why bother telling us all about the mercury free vaccines if you don’t have any????
And a better question – why don’t you have any?
The govt and the pharmas know that people want mercury-free…but they’re not supplying it!
Hello Anne, thank you for your comment. The reason we wrote the post we did is because we wanted to answer the questions that we’ve been getting over the phone: “What’s the difference between flu vaccines?” and “What are your current stock levels?” Part of our responsibilities as a specialty vaccine provider is to relay information about the vaccines, therefore we want to educate people of the differences in the vaccines even though we have sold out of them this season.
To your second question, we sold out pretty fast with our original stock, and were able to order a little bit more of the Pediatric Thim-free, which all sold out that same day. Unbeknownst to us, we have been one of the few clinics in the Front Range that has offered the thim-free vaccine this year, therefore we have experienced a massive demand for it.
Since we are a specialty vaccine provider year round, we choose to stock some thim-free every year but the demand is unreliable. We actually had to throw doses away last year as did some doctors and other providers we know.
On a larger scale, the pharmaceutical companies recognize a limited demand for thim-free but have to decide between dedicating their production facilities to making the more expensive thim-free or the less expensive, more widely adopted regular flu vaccines.
Either way, thimerisol free vaccine is a risk that some providers are no longer willing to take.
We have been providing information about the demand we’ve seen this year to our vendors so that hopefully next year we can offer more thim-free and not assume as much risk of absorbing the cost of disposing unused vaccine at the end of the flu season.
Please let us know if you have further questions and we’d be happy to help you more. Thank you!
Passport Health Colorado/Wyoming
[...] Health provides Preservative-free and Thimerosal-free seasonal flu vaccine in all of our public flu [...]
How much Thimerosal is in contact lens cleaners?
Hi Vickie,
One patent document I saw for contact solution mentioned that there was apprximately 0.0005-0.7% weight from thimerosal in the solution. The variance for those figures depend on the size of bottle being used. However, every brand of contact solution is different, so you should contact the manufacturer of the specific brand you use to get the amount of thimerasol used in it. Thank you for your comment!
Holly Brown, Office Manager
Is thimerosol and mercury the same thing?
A few years back I used some contact solution with Thimerosal that gave me burning red eyes. I always am careful to use solution without any “T” in it. Does that mean I would have a reaction if I got the flu shot that was not free from it?
I’d appreciate if they will make plently moree of Thim-free flu shots. They know many people want that and still not have enough??
Hope they will make plently to offer for everyone next time!!
The difference between eating fish (certain fish are known to have a higher mercery content than others), wearing contacts, and getting a vaccine with mercery based Thimerosal is that the Thimerosal is injected directly into the blood stream. Nice.