Families to Tell Stories of Vaccine-Autism Link

Scott Kappes

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Today a federal court is scheduled to start hearing a case that will for the second time this year have parents telling their stories of how their children developed autism after be vaccinated with vaccines containing the controversial compound thiomersal. The case focuses on two 10-year-old boys from Portland, Oregon and aims to convince the court that thimerosal containing vaccines by themselves can cause autism.

Lawyers for these families maintain that the boys were developing normally until they were exposed to vaccines containing thimerosal, a preservative containing mercury. After receiving these vaccinations, the attorneys say, the boys began to show symptoms of autism — a developmental disability characterized by difficulty in communicating and interacting with others.

Most experts do not believe that link between thimerosal containing vaccines and autism exists. A 2004 panel commissioned by the Institute of Medicine, concluded that there was no credible evidence that suggest a link exists; however, since 2001 most vaccine makers have removed the compound from their vaccines over fears that it may cause autism.

If the attorneys representing the families can prove that it is more likely than not that the vaccines caused the boys’ injuries, the families could receive some much needed compensation. Whichever way the case is decided it will likely be met with appeal soon after. It may be several months before we see a final decision in the case.