HHS Investigates Aluminum Salts in Vaccines Amid Safety Concerns
The Department of Health and Human Services is reviewing the safety of aluminum salts in vaccines, despite longstanding evidence supporting their use.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is conducting a review of aluminum salts used as adjuvants in vaccines, following concerns raised by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) vaccine advisory committee.
Aluminum salts have been utilized for nearly a century to enhance the immune response to vaccines, allowing for smaller doses. Extensive research has consistently demonstrated their safety.
Despite this, recent statements from federal health officials have questioned the safety of aluminum in vaccines. In September, President Donald Trump announced that aluminum was being removed from vaccines, expressing skepticism about its inclusion.
Public health experts express concern that this investigation may lead to restrictions on certain childhood vaccines. The CDC's advisory committee has already voted to stop recommending the hepatitis B vaccine for all newborns, advising that women who test negative for the virus consult with their medical providers about the shot.
Dr. Michelle Fiscus, chief medical officer at the Association of Immunization Managers, emphasized the importance of aluminum adjuvants, stating, "Aluminum adjuvants have made vaccines very, very effective and have helped us significantly reduce suffering and sickness and death."
A 2025 study involving over 1.2 million children in Denmark found no link between aluminum salts in vaccines and neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism.
The HHS review is ongoing, with further updates expected as the investigation progresses.