Is the physician required to inform parents that the multi-dose vial of influenza vaccine contains thimerosal?
The federal requirement is to provide the Vaccine Information Statement with each dose of vaccine provided. Providers should consult their agency and state immunization program regarding informed consent requirements. If a parent or patient requests information about specific contents of a vaccine, or if you want to check the composition of a vaccine for a substance to which the patient has a severe allergy, that information is available from several resources including: product package insert; CDC at http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/appendices/B/excipient-table-2.pdf [82KB – 3 pages]; and FDA at http://www.fda.gov/cber/vaccine/thimerosal.htm#t1.
The federal requirement is to provide the Vaccine Information Statement with each dose of vaccine provided. Providers should consult their agency and state immunization program regarding informed consent requirements. If a parent or patient requests information about specific contents of a vaccine, or if you want to check the composition of a vaccine for a substance to which the patient has a severe allergy, that information is available from several resources including: product package insert; CDC at http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/appendices/B/excipient-table-2.pdf; and FDA at http://www.fda.gov/cber/vaccine/thimerosal.htm#t1.
