US govt gives legal immunity to swine flu manufacturers

[TanyaL]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31971355/ns/health-swine_flu/

They've apparently included the companies manufacturing H1N1 vaccine in the usual vaccine compensation fund and exempted them from the typical legal recourse people have for other pharmaceutical products.

I'm so grateful the US government is looking out for us (US citizens, I mean).

Although I haven't looked into some of the details for this--how many non-US companies are making H1N1 vaccine, and how much of that may end up in the US? And does this decision have any impact on whether a non-US citizen can take legal action against a US manufacturer if they are harmed by this new vaccine? Seems like that last point could get sticky, especially if the flu remains mild.

[Momtezuma Tuatara]

1976 all over again.

[cartersmom]

1976 all over again.


Yup, except in 1976 a person harmed by this vaccine could sue and be compensated. If they are harmed now, I guess they are SOOL, or spend years fighting in the Vaccine court to most likely end up with squat.

[Momtezuma Tuatara]

True, but who do they have to blame? It's not as if there has been no publicity about all this, and if people want to live in a bubble where they don't hear the issues, then.....???

[jules]

They won't blame themselves. Regardless of what they hear or happened in 1976, their fear outweighs. They have to believe the vaccine will save them. if they don't do it and their child gets sick or dies, that guilt to them is worse. Make sense?

I understand that outlook, but am one who doesn't share it. And then of course I get accusations thrown that how could I not do it to 'protect' my child and what if they get really sick or die, then its my fault..

Either way in my book, we are all in the same boat in a sense.

Of course then you have the possible mandatory vaccine issue which scares me more. Am I going to be forced? Have to hide my child? Remove them from school?