Tuesday December 14, 6:36 pm Eastern Time
Company Press Release
SOURCE: Mealey Publications
Mealey Publications: SmithKline
(SBH) Sued Over Lyme Vaccine
WEST CHESTER, Pa., Dec. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- A class action lawsuit filed today in
Pennsylvania claims the vaccine that prevents Lyme Disease causes an incurable form of
autoimmune arthritis and, for some, could produce symptoms far worse than those brought on
by
the illness. ``Mealey's Litigation Report: Drug and Medical Devices'' informed subscribers
about
the complaint today.
The complaint, filed in Chester County Court of Common Pleas, alleges SmithKline Beecham
(NYSE: SBH - news), manufacturers of the widely touted LYMErix vaccine, failed to warn
doctors and the general public that nearly 30 percent of the population was pre-disposed
to a
degenerative autoimmune syndrome, which the lawsuit says is triggered by contents of the
inoculation.
``Once this autoimmune reaction is triggered, it cannot be cured and can only be treated
symptomatically for the remainder of the vaccine recipient's life,'' the complaint says.
According to the class action, SmithKline (SBH) used high concentrations of a surface
protein
called OspA as the foundation for its vaccine. When bitten by a Lyme infected parasite,
humans
are not exposed to OspA protein. The levels of OspA that enter the bloodstream at any
phase of
the three-dose LYMErix vaccine, however, place patients classified by genetic type
HLA-DR4+
at risk of developing a condition referred to as ``treatment-resistant'' Lyme Arthritis,
the lawsuit
says.
Despite this ``well documented relationship'' between OspA and treatment-resistant Lyme
Arthritis, SmithKline neglected to include the information in its widely disseminated
promotional
literature and insisted LYMErix was safe and generally well tolerated, the class action
says.
About one-third of the general population is HLA-DR4+ and risks contracting the arthritic
condition when exposed to the vaccine, according to the complaint. The HLA-DR4+ trait is
easily
detected by a routine blood test; however, SmithKline never recommended that doctors
screen for
the trait before administering the vaccine, the lawsuit alleges.
The complaint further alleges that patients who are infected with Lyme bacteria when they
receive LYMErix -- whether asymptomatic or in the early stages of infection -- could
suffer
symptoms more progressive and enhanced than if they had not received the vaccine.
SmithKline, the class action says, also neglected to inform doctors and the general public
that
periodic booster shots beyond the series of three vaccinations would be necessary to
maintain
immunity to the disease.
The class action includes counts of negligence, unfair trade practices and a bid for
medical
monitoring of those who are placed at risk of developing autoimmune arthritis but have not
yet
been diagnosed with the condition.
The class action complaint was filed by Stephen A. Sheller and Albert J. Brooks Jr. of
Sheller,
Ludwig & Badey in Philadelphia.
Sheller said that in the wake of filing the class action, he expects to file claims on
behalf of
individuals who received the LYMErix vaccine and are now suffering from the autoimmune
arthritis.
For more information about Mealey Publications, log on to www.mealeys.com
or call
1-800-MEALEYS or 610-768-7800, or contact the Company via e-mail at news@mealeys.com .
SOURCE: Mealey Publications
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