Special Masters reject thimerosal-autism link

Thimerosal is not responsible for causing autism, a federal court ruled on Friday after reviewing several test cases.

The U.S. Court of Federal Claims ruled that the mercury-based preservative did not cause the autism of an Oregon boy, William Mead, ending his family’s quest for reimbursement under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. However, the court expressed sympathy for the Mead family in their desire to find a cause for the autism.

Special Master Patricia Campbell-Smith wrote that the court “is mindful that Williams’ autistic condition has had a profound impact on the Meads and that the Meads, as caring and committed parents – like others who have filed suit on behalf of their children – desire to understand what caused their child to develop an autistic spectrum disorder.”

The Meads, along with two other families, the Kings and the Dwyers, had filed lawsuits against a number of pharmaceutical companies alleging that the thimerosal additive in many pediatric vaccines significantly contributed to the development of their child’s autism.

In all three test cases, the federal court ruled that they had not demonstrated by a preponderance of the evidence that the children’s conditions were either caused or aggravated by their vaccinations. The Special Masters' decision can be appealed in a federal court.

In February 2009, the court ruled against three families who claimed that a combination of measles, mumps and rubella vaccines caused their children’s autism.

Federal health officials have reported several times that no link can be found between vaccines and autism.

Officials with the Department of Health and Human Services responded to the ruling in a prepared statement, noting: “The medical and scientific communities have carefully and thoroughly reviewed the evidence concerning the theories that vaccines can cause autism and have found no association between vaccines and autism. Vaccines save lives. The safety and efficacy of vaccines—and the public’s confidence in them—is one of our highest priorities. If parents have questions or concerns about childhood vaccines, they should talk with their child’s health care provider.”

PERSPECTIVE

The question of whether or not thimerosal caused autism is a scientific question, and has been redundantly answered. Several studies clearly have shown that thimerosal doesn't cause autism. U.S. courts don't always follow the science, and it is always heartening when the courts follow good science. Had this court not found in favor of the science, it would have made things very difficult to explain to the public. I am hopeful that those people who may have been on the fence about getting their vaccines will see the science for what it is, but I do not think those that believe in this link will be swayed by this court's decision.

– Paul Offit, MD

Infectious Diseases in Children Editorial Board