United States, Feb. 2 -- Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) is concerned by recent reports that the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is pressuring Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, to no longer supply vaccines that contain thimerosal - a preservative used in vaccines that has been proven safe through extensive research.

Multi-dose vial vaccines like those against diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough rely on thimerosal to prevent contamination and ensure vaccines remain effective. They are especially useful in low-income settings and humanitarian emergencies where MSF works as they are easier to store in places with limited cold chain infrastructure, like refrigeration.

This recent demand from HHS marks y...