Vaccine Myth and Physician Handouts-Reply

In Reply.—Dr Lynch raises an important point in regard to the diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus "Important Information" forms currently being distributed by the Centers for Disease Control.

As noted in the 1988 Report of the Committee of Infectious Diseases of the American Academy of Pediatrics, "The National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act (PL99-660; Amended by PL100-203), which became effective in 1988 includes requirements for detailed notification of patients/parents about vaccine benefits and risks in both the private and public sectors. This legislation requires development and distribution of standardized benefits/risk statements when administering vaccines for which vaccine injury compensation is available. These statements are in preparation and physicians will be notified by the federal government when their use becomes mandatory." The Centers for Disease Control has been working on the new forms (which will be mandatory), and draft editions have been reviewed by many people. At present, members of the Vaccine Commission and members