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Suspension of Washington State Mercury Limits on Certain Flu Vaccine

 Declaration of Vaccine Shortage
Washington State law allows the Secretary of the Washington State Department of Health to suspend the state’s legal mercury limit for a vaccine if there is a shortage of vaccine available to protect the public’s health against vaccine-preventable disease.

On July 1, 2011, the Secretary of Health declared a shortage of certain flu vaccines in multi-dose vials and temporarily suspended Washington's limit on the amount of mercury (thimerosal) allowed in flu vaccine given to pregnant women and kids under three who are allergic to latex.

• Signed Declaration from Secretary of Health Mary Selecky - 2011 (PDF, 116KB)

• Signed Declaration from Secretary of Health Mary Selecky - 2010 (PDF, 240KB)

The federal Food and Drug Administration found that thimerosal-free flu vaccine in single dose, pre-filled syringes may contain trace amounts of latex. Health care providers may decide not to vaccinate pregnant women or kids under three with this type of flu vaccine if there is a risk of a latex allergy. Without access to alternative flu vaccine, a shortage of vaccine would result for these groups of people.

Suspension of Mercury Limits
Pregnant women and the very young are some of the most at risk for serious complications if they get the flu. Temporarily suspending mercury limits for some flu vaccine will help make sure that people in high-risk groups with allergies to latex can get vaccinated if they choose to.

• Frequently Asked Questions: Suspension of Thimerosal (Mercury) Limits

  • English (PDF, 37KB)

  • Spanish (PDF, 48KB)

Patient Notification
Washington State law requires that, once the legal mercury limit for a vaccine has been suspended, the following people be informed they are being given a vaccine exceeding those limits:

• Women known to be pregnant or lactating.

• The parent or legal guardian of a child under 18 years of age getting the vaccine.

There is no single notification method required. The department has created the following document as a sample for health care providers to use to help fulfill this requirement when giving flu vaccine:

• Parent/Patient Notice

  • English (PDF, 59KB)

  • Spanish (PDF, 59KB)

Related Links

• Washington State Law

• Mercury and Vaccine Safety

Last Update: 07/15/2011 09:41 AM