Autism Ruled Not Connected to Children’s Vaccines
A United States court has ruled that children’s vaccinations are not related to autism, a brain development disorder.
Three special masters of the 5,500 cases that have been filed under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program ruled that “the evidence is overwhelmingly contrary” to the theory that the vaccines cause autism.
At issue really was the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine that contains a mercury-based preservative. Instead of suing the manufacturers of the vaccines, families are forced to file a petition for “no-fault” compensation with the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.
The special masters of this fund function as trial judges in dealing with the thousands of autism-related claims. Three test cases were selected to represent the theories of how vaccines can cause autism. The Office of the Special Master found Thursday that the connection isn’t there.
The families have vowed that they will appeal, and if they are unsuccessful there, they can then file a civil lawsuit in court asking for damages.
