Autism Press Conference

I talked to the media contact for a group holding a news conference tomorrow on autism and vaccinations. You may have read about a federal case this week some organizations claim proves a link between autism and vaccinations. I have been hesitant to post the story until I had all the details. I am hoping the details come out tomorrow.

Here is the press release from the group making the claim:

Landmark Federal Court Concession that Local Child From Atlanta Developed Autism From Vaccines. Child joins parents in press conference about this historic result at Atlanta Federal Court House tomorrow. Local couple from Atlanta will join with their 9 year old daughter, Hannah, in a press conference discussing their daughter's development of autism as a result of vaccines.

This landmark case alleged that autism was caused by childhood vaccines and was scheduled to be heard as a test case before the concession was made. The press conference will be held tomorrow, Thursday, March 6, 2008 at 11:30 am on the steps of U.S. Federal courthouse at 75 Spring Street in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Centers For Disease Control have estimated that 1 in 166 children have autism, and many have linked the autism epidemic in this country to the mercury based preservative used in childhood vaccines.

This should be interesting. I haven't seen any response from the federal government yet, but I am sure someone will respond after tomorrow's news conference. I will keep you updated.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Just got this from the Associate Press:

Medical and legal experts say the narrow wording and circumstances probably make the case an exception - not a precedent for thousands of other pending claims. The government "has not conceded that vaccines cause autism," said Linda Renzi, the lawyer representing federal officials, who have consistently maintained that childhood shots are safe.