Senate Provision Seeks to Protect Vaccine Producers

By Dave Wilson

Published on December 19, 2005

Washington, D.C. -- Senator Bill Frist is attempting to insert a provision - which would shield flu vaccine manufacturers from liability claims - into a major defense bill in order to get it passed before congress adjourns for 2005.

The provision is allegedly in response to widespread fear of an avian flu pandemic. The pharmaceutical companies that currently produce flu vaccines are concerned about getting sued by individuals injured by the preventative medication. Frist's provision would shield flu vaccine makers from personal injury lawsuits, thus encouraging avian flu vaccine production.

Many government watchdog groups have expressed alarm at the wording of the provision, which could be interpreted in such a way as to extend immunity to all vaccine makers. Over the years, harmful side effects have been discovered for a number of vaccines. Some critics of the provision believe that it is really designed to protect pharmaceutical companies from thimerosal lawsuits.

Thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative, was once used in many childhood vaccines. Some believe that exposing young children to mercury through vaccination can trigger autism, a developmental disease with symptoms similar to those of mercury poisoning. Several studies have shown a correlation between the use of thimerosal in vaccines and a rise in diagnosed rates of autism.

Comment on this article →