Along with leading consumer groups, we're opposing (letter to Senate and House leaders) a stealth proposal to grant vaccine makers sweeping liability immunity through the backdoor of an Appropriations bill as their unacceptable price for making pandemic vaccines. From the letter:

While shielding the drug companies, the proposal provides no compensation or protection for first responders and ordinary individuals who may suffer serious illness or death as a result of taking a vaccine or other countermeasure against the pandemic.

"The Republican leadership in Congress is trying to do another special favor for drug companies by slipping a provision into a massive spending bill to absolve the pharmaceutical industry of any responsibility to patients injured by dangerous drugs or vaccines," Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) said. "It's cynical to claim that this is what's needed to deal with avian flu."

Sen. Christopher J. Dodd (D-Conn.) said: "We all share the goal of protecting the American people. But I'm alarmed that such a critical question . . . is being handled with a backroom deal."