In Yuma, Arizona, the first court case alleging a link between childhood vaccines and autism is being heard in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.
Eight other such cases are soon to follow, and the decisions made will guide the handling of the other pending claims.
The cases are therefore being closely watched by 5,000 families with autistic children who have lodged claims for compensation.
Most of the families claim that a preservative called thimerosal, which contains mercury, is the culprit responsible for autism. If the courts agree, the families will be eligible for compensation from a federal vaccine injury fund. No autism claim has yet been paid from the fund.
In the Arizona case, Theresa Cedillo says that her daughter Michelle suffered five days of fever after receiving a measles, mumps and rubella vaccination when she was 15 months old. Afterwards, according to Michelle's mother, her personality and health changed for the worse.
In addition to autism, Michelle suffers from inflammatory bowel disease, glaucoma and epilepsy. Her bones are also prone to breaks because of malnutrition, since she must eat most food through a feeding tube. Forbes Magazine June 11, 2007
Dr. Mercola's Comment:
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