Court to Decide if Vaccine Makers Can Be Sued

The high court agreed to hear a Pennsylvania case involving a lawsuit by the parents of a child who suffered seizures after her third dose of a diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) vaccine. They sued the vaccine manufacturer, Wyeth, which Pfizer Inc purchased last year.

Pfizer shares fell 1 percent to $17.30 in morning trading on the New York Stock Exchange.

At issue was the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986. It says no manufacturer "shall be liable in any civil action" for any injury that "resulted from side effects that were unavoidable even though the vaccine was properly prepared and was accompanied by proper directions and warnings".'

Read more...