A newly posted agenda for next week’s meeting of the just-appointed group of outside vaccine advisers to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention includes a discussion and vote on thimerosal in flu vaccines,

The 17 members of the CDC's vaccine advisory committee, who were ousted last week, argued their abrupt dismissal has "left the U.S. vaccine program critically weakened."

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has dismissed all 17 CDC vaccine experts, drawing protests from scientists. Kennedy, a vaccine skeptic, claims the move will restore public trust. Critics argue it will undermine public confidence,