Physicians are reminded that it is now against California law to administer mercury-containing vaccines—including inactivated influenza vaccine from multidose vials—to pregnant women and children younger than 3 years old. Multidose vials of flu vaccine are made with thimerosal, a mercury-containing preservative.

Only influenza vaccine from single-dose syringes or vials with trace levels (less than 0.5 micrograms of mercury per 0.5-milliliter dose for pregnant women, less than .25 micrograms per 0.5-milliliter dose for small children) or no mercury may be given to pregnant women and children under 3.

Physicians need to consider this law, which took effect in July 2006, when ordering influenza vaccine for next season. Prebooking has already begun with some influenza vaccine manufacturers.

Contact: Sandra Bressler, 415/882-5171 or sbressler@cmanet.org.