PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release: June 4, 2007

Contact:  Wendy Fournier, NAA (Portsmouth, RI) 401-632-7523            Rita Shreffler, NAA (Nixa, MO) 401-632-6452

AUTISM FAMILIES KEEP CLOSE WATCH AS FIRST TEST CASE GOES TO VACCINE COURT 

Washington, DC –  The first test case of approximately 4800 claims that  vaccines caused autism goes to federal court June 11th.  Cedillo v. HHS will be heard by three special masters, part of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, established under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (NVICP).                                              

Parents filed the claims after their children regressed into a diagnosis of autism following multiple rounds of vaccines, many of which were preserved with amounts of mercury that exceeded EPA guidelines.

Thimerosal’s inclusion as a vaccine component increased in the early 90’s, its rise mirroring the alarming rise in autism. Parents note their children’s symptoms of autism mimic mercury poisoning and many autistic children are now being successfully treated for mercury poisoning and damaged immune systems.

Earlier today, Ann Brasher, Board Member of the National Autism Association (NAA) stated, “I believe that NVICP will not provide the specialized medical care necessary for autistic children despite a favorable ruling for the plaintiffs. But the overwhelming evidence needs to be explored. The public deserves to know all the facts and the truth behind them.” Parents cite fatal flaws in the NVICP including:

-          Families are forced to sue the government, which has no incentive to settle and can drag out cases for years while children go untreated.  

-          Unlike civil court, there is no right to discovery in vaccine court and no jury trial.  

-          The master denied access to vaccine company documents and CDC/HMO vaccine database records that would be routinely available in civil court.  

-          Tax payers end up paying for pharmaceutical mistakes. No other industry is allowed unparalleled protection in a “Free Market” economy.

-          The massively profitable vaccine industry is not held liable, therefore has no incentive to create safe vaccines.

Several families who have waited years for justice and are willing to share stories of their children’s regression will be available for interviews during the hearings. For contact information, please write to naa@nationalautism.org.