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U.S. Congress votes to repeal vaccine provision
Reuters, 02.14.03, 6:42 PM ET
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A controversial measure protecting companies from
lawsuits from families blaming their children's autism on a vaccine preservative
will be repealed under a massive spending bill Congress passed late Thursday.
The provision shielded manufacturers such as Eli Lilly and Co. from being sued
over harm caused by a mercury-based vaccine ingredient called thimerosal.
Supporters said the liability protections were necessary because lawsuits
alleging harm from thimerosal have bypassed a federal vaccine injury
compensation fund set up in 1986.
The fund was established in part to encourage companies to stay in the vaccine
business because vaccines benefit the public good. Lilly argued that lawsuits
alleging injury due to vaccine ingredients should also go through the federal
fund.
The provision to protect companies from being sued over vaccine ingredients had
passed Congress as one of several measures tucked into last year's homeland
security legislation at the last minute, sparking an uproar that nearly derailed
that bill.
"This provision was added in the dark of night, clearly as a payback to powerful
political supporters, and it had no place in legislation intended to protect
American families," said Michigan Democrat Sen. Debbie Stabenow, who had pushed
for the repeal.
The spending bill passed Thursday repealed that language.
No scientific studies have found a connection between thimerosal and autism.
Lilly had argued that the congressional measure would protect vaccine makers
from meritless lawsuits.
"We're disappointed by the decision to repeal the vaccine ingredient provision.
However, we agree that process by which the legislation was enacted was not
desirable," Sagebiel said.
The company hopes Congress will pass similar language to block lawsuits over
vaccine ingredients as part of broad vaccine legislation later this year, he
added.
Eli Lilly shares fell 56 cents to close at $56.73.
Copyright 2003, Reuters News Service
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