How do the Omnibus Autism Proceedings work?
The Omnibus Autism Proceedings will be the final test for three somewhat different theories about how vaccines might cause autism: • The first “theory of causation” is that measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccines and vaccines containing thimerosal (a mercury-based preservative) can combine to cause autism. • The second theory is that thimerosal-containing vaccines can cause autism. • The third theory is that MMR vaccines, without regard to thimerosal, can cause autism. Each hearing is comprised of three “test cases” for a total of nine cases (although that may soon change — see below). Three different Special Masters officiate each case in a set, although all three Special Masters sit in to hear “theory of causation” arguments. Lawyers for the claimants have formed a Petitioners’ Steering Committee, which has selected a small group of attorneys to try all of the cases. The first set of three trials — testing the theory that the MMR vaccine in combination with thimerosal-containing vacci
