E-NEWS FROM THE NATIONAL VACCINE INFORMATION CENTER

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UNITED WAY/COMBINED FEDERAL CAMPAIGN

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"Protecting the health and informed consent rights of children since 1982."

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BL Fisher Note:

The National Vaccine Information Center supports the repeal of the Thimerosal Liability Shield Rider and passage of the Burton-Waxman Act reforming the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. We encourage you to take action to let your senators know how you stand on both issues. Following is a survey and sample letter created by the Mercury Policy Project for senators.

Your efforts are needed to help repeal the Thimerosal Liability Shield Rider and to facilitate passage of the Burton-Waxman Act reforming the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.

In November the Homeland Security Act was swiftly passed by Congress. At the eleventh hour, a rider was added to the legislation that would prevent parents of autistic children from suing Eli Lilly and a small group of vaccine manufacturers for harm caused to their children from thimerosal in infant vaccines. Thimerosal is a mercury-based preservative which has been linked to autism and related disorders.

Many Congressmen and Senators were outraged by the insertion of the Thimerosal Liability Shield rider into the Homeland Security Act, since the vaccines with thimerosal are routine infant formulations which have nothing to do with bioterrorism and national security. The House and Senate leadership assured these Senators and Congressmen that the thimerosal liability shield issue would be revisited when the new Congress reconvenes on January 7. Repeal of the rider will increase the chances of passage of the Burton-Waxman bill to reform the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Act of 1986 to make it easier for families to obtain compensation for vaccine-related injuries.

Senator Debbie Stabenow of Michigan has graciously agreed to introduce legislation in January to repeal the Thimerosal Liability Shield Rider. Safe Minds is supporting this effort. Along with other concerned groups, including the Mercury Policy Project and The Autism Autoimmunity Project, we would like to know which Senators are in favor of repealing the rider. The document below from Mercury Policy Project describes the steps you can take to determine where your two Senators lie on this issue.

Please note that several activities are being planned for Washington, DC on January 8th, to coincide with the announcement introducing the Stebenow legislation. The Autism Autoimmunity Project has sent information on these activities . Families are encouraged to attend.

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ALERT: SURVEY YOUR 2 US SENATORS OR STAFF--ASAP--ON REPEALING THE THIMEROSAL LIABILITY PROVISION IN THE HOMELAND SECURITY ACT

NOTE: Per the sample letter below, request that the Senators/staff respond

in writing and follow the instructions (see below) for forwarding written responses received. Verbal responses are NOT aequate because they can't be verfied.

THE PURPOSE OF THE SURVEY IS TO DETERMINE:

1.) HOW MANY US SENATORS SUPPORT A SEPARATE VOTE TO REPEAL THE THIMEROSAL LIABILITY SHIELD PROVISION IN THE HOMELAND ACT

2.) HOW MANY SENATORS WILL VOTE TO SUPPORT REPEAL LEGISLATION.

3.) HOW MANY WILL SUPPORT FUNDING RESEARCH INTO ALL POSSIBLE CAUSES AND CURES FOR AUTISM AND ARE ALSO WILLING TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO AFFECTED FAMILIES.

email contact information. (NOTE: For NEWLY elected Senators, call

202-225-3121 and ask to be connected to their office--then request their email address.)

When drafting emails to US Senators/staff, please feel free to use the sample email letter (see below). Once you have received a US Senator/staff written response to your email, please forward their entire email response to: mercurypolicy@aol.com.

Sincerely,

Michael T.Bender

Director

Mercury Policy Project

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(sample survey letter to US Senators or Staff)

Dear Senator_________or (name of staff person)_________:

I am writing regarding the recent passage of the Homeland Security Act and, in particular, one outrageous provision that was snuck into the bill at the last minute that provides a so-called "thimerosal liability shield" for vaccine makers. According to news reports, the leaders in the US Senate--both Democrats and Republicans--have pledged to reconsider this provision and that bi-partisian legislation will be introduced in early January to repeal the thimerosal provision. Thererfore, I would appreciate a written response to the following questions at your earliest convenience.

1.) Is the Senator supportive of a having a vote in the US Senate to repeal the thimerosal liability shield provision in the Homeland Security Act ASAP?

a.) YES

b.) NO

2.) Is the Senator willing to support legislation repealing the thimerosal liability shield provision in the Homeland Security Act?

a.) YES, I will vote to repeal the thimerosal liability shield provision in the Homeland Security Act (Note: Support for only "fixing" or altering the provision, rather than repealing the entire thimerosal liability shield provision, is considered a "NO" vote.)

b.) NO, I will not vote to repeal the thimerosal liability shield provision in the Homeland Security Act.

c.) I AM UNDECIDED on how I would vote at this time, but pledge to respond as soon as possible once a final decision is made.

3.) Is the Senator supportive of legislation to fund research by independent investigators looking at all possible causes and cures for autism, including vaccine-induced autism, and provide financial support to families that have children with autism or related problems?

a.) YES, I am generally supportive of such measures.

b.) NO, I believe existing measures are enough.

Thank you (in advance) for taking the time to respond, via email, to these important questions at your earliest possible convenience.

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