Vaccine liability
Executive Summary
Congress will reconsider vaccine manufacturer liability when it discusses Omnibus Appropriations legislation in January, Republican leaders promise after passage of the Homeland Security Act in the Senate. The bill, which is awaiting signature by President Bush, includes provisions that would eliminate liability suits related to thimerosol in vaccines (1"The Pink Sheet" Nov. 18, p. 27). Sens. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), Susan Collins (R-Maine), and Lincoln Chafee (R-R.I.) voted against a Democratic amendment to strip the provision after receiving assurances that the issue would be revisited early in 2003...