WASHINGTON (AP) — Parents who say their daughter allegedly suffered serious
health problems from a childhood vaccine are trying to persuade the
Supreme Court
to allow them to sue the
manufacturer.
The justices are hearing arguments Tuesday in a case that could open drug
makers to a flood of lawsuits over the side effects of vaccines, including those
from families of autistic children claiming that mercury-based thimerosal is
linked to autism. Numerous studies have addressed vaccines and autism and found
no link, including with the preservative thimerosal.
Drug companies, and the Obama administration, argue that the claims should be
decided by a special vaccine court that was set up 24
years ago to insure a stable vaccine supply by shielding companies from most
lawsuits.
