June 26 (Reuters) - The external committee advising the

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on vaccine

policy voted that all adults in the country receive a seasonal

flu shot in single-dose forms that are free from mercury-based

preservative thimerosal.

The panel voted five-to-one in favor of the recommendation,

while one member abstained from voting, following a presentation

by an anti-vaccine advocate that made the case that thimerosal

is a neurotoxin.

The panel recommended that pregnant women and children aged

6 months or younger also receive thimerosal-free shots.

The CDC has previously said there is no evidence of harm

caused by the low doses of thimerosal used in vaccines, except

for minor reactions such as redness and swelling at the

injection site.