Supreme Court To Consider If Vaccine Makers Can Be Sued

The Supreme Court will weigh in on whether or not parents can sue drug makers over side effects from vaccines.

The court said Monday it will take up a case pitting the parents of a Pennsylvania girl against vaccine manufacturer Wyeth.

In the lawsuit, the parents of Hannah Bruesewitz say she developed a seizure disorder and developmental delay after her third dose of the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) vaccine. They blame toxins in the vaccine for the conditions.

Currently, about 5,000 families are claiming that vaccines caused conditions like autism in their children. A ruling from the high court could determine whether these families have recourse against vaccine makers.

Under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986 vaccine makers are largely exempt from liability for side effects “that were unavoidable.” After conflicting rulings from lower courts, the Supreme Court will consider whether lawsuits against vaccine manufacturers in state court are okay.

The court will take up the issue in its upcoming session, beginning in October, reports Reuters. To read more click here.