A rider to the Homeland Security Act redefines ingredients listed within a vaccine’s product-license application or product label as part of the vaccine. The amendment makes any claim against the mercury-containing preservative Thimerosal a claim against the vaccine, which is a major setback to suits claiming Thimerosal is linked to autism.

“It’s a get out of jail free card for Eli Lilly and other makers and suppliers of thimerosal,” asserted plaintiffs’ attorney Michael Williams of Portland, Ore.’s Williams, Dailey, O’Leary, Craine & Love. “It grants the same protection to the makers and suppliers of thimerosal as to the makers of the vaccines.”.

(via The National Law Journal)