Re: Government has conceded that a vaccine "contributed" to Autism

Reported March 7, 2008
Federal Autism vaccination Case Decided
(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Nearly 5,000 families currently have cases pending to receive compensation for autism or other developmental disorders they believe were caused by vaccines. Now, one Georgia family has won their fight.

In what some are calling a landmark case, government health officials conceded the case of a 9-year-old autistic girl, saying her pre-existing mitochondrial disorder was worsened by a series of nine vaccinations given during a well-baby visit, and ultimately resulted in her autism diagnosis. Two of the vaccines contained the mercury-containing preservative thimerosal, which some believe could be behind autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Thimerosal has not been used in childhood vaccines (except for some flu shots) since 2001.

Court documents do not establish a clear-cut vaccine-autism link, and medical and legal experts say the very specific wording and circumstances of the case should make this an exception -- not a legal precedent.

The government “has not conceded that vaccines cause autism,” Linda Renzi, the lawyer representing federal officials, was quoted as saying. Officials maintain childhood shots are safe and not vaccinating children puts the population at greater risk.

In October 1988, the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program was established to compensate families if injury results from a vaccination. Of the more than 5,000 autism related claims filed since 1988, this is the first to receive compensation. That figure, however, has not yet been determined.

If a parent feels their child has been injured in any way as a result of a vaccination, he or she can file a petition with the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. As of March 3, 2008, more than $1.7 billion has been awarded to victims.

National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program
Parklawn Building, Room 8A-46
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, MD 20857
(800) 338-2382

http://www.hrsa.gov/vaccinecompensation/

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