| ■ Court Hearing Looks at Link Between Vaccines, Autism | 07.06.20 |
| A court hearing scheduled to begin Monday is the first of a number test cases dealing with claims by U.S. parents that their children's autism was caused by routine vaccinations. The hearing in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims will be presided over three special master appointed by the court, the Associated Press reported. The hearing, expected to last until June 29, will explore the theory that autism is caused by the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine in combination with other vaccines containing a preservative called thimerosal, which is about 50 percent mercury by weight. Since 1999, more than 4,800 families have filed claims with the U.S. government alleging that their children's autism was caused by vaccines that contained thimerosal. If the link is proven, the families would be entitled to compensation from a multibillion dollar trust fund, the AP reported. Large studies have concluded there is no association between autism and vaccines that contain thimerosal, which is no longer found in routine childhood vaccines. However, it is still used in some flu vaccines. |