Merck is fighting what it calls an “unprecedented” move to add administrative injury claims to a proposed multidistrict litigation proceeding over its HPV vaccine.
More than 30 lawsuits allege that Gardasil, approved for girls by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2006 to prevent HPV, or human papillomavirus, which causes cervical cancer, has caused autoimmune disorders and other injuries. Claims over Gardasil must first go through Vaccine Court, after which plaintiffs who are either denied judgment or dissatisfied with the amount can bring lawsuits in U.S. courts.
