New England families sue over mercury in childhood vaccines

Nationally, 5,200 legal claims of damage from childhood immunizations are pending, mostly involving boys. Those suing are seeking money from the Vaccine Injury Compensation program, a government insurance pool funded by a vaccine tax. At a hearing in June, a special master, or judge, is expected to decide whether thimerosal caused autism and other disabilities critics associate with it. The U.S. Department of Justice will defend the fund and vaccine manufacturers.

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