The eight new ACIP members met for the first time June 25 after Kennedy fired all 17 original members of the committee June 9.

The vast majority of research has failed to show any link between thimerosal and autism or other neurological issues.

The overhauled US panel reviewing vaccine data backed the use of only thimerosal-free flu shots for Americans, taking aim at an ingredient that’s long been considered safe by scientists but erroneously linked with autism.