Opinion ID: 1377347
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: mandatory immunization

Text: The second question the Ninth Circuit certified to us involves the effect upon manufacturer's liability of a mandatory immunization program. At the time plaintiff received her inoculation, ORS 433.267(1) required that a child present as a prerequisite to school enrollment [a] statement signed by a physician or a representative of the local health department that he has received an initial immunization and prescribed reinforcing immunizations against the communicable diseases pursuant to rules of the Health Division as provided in ORS 433.273   . ORS 433.273 provided: The Health Division shall adopt rules pertaining to the communicable diseases for which immunization is required and the approved means of immunization and indicated reinforcing immunizations under ORS 433.267, including recommended optimum ages for administration of such immunizations. Former OAR 333-21-091(4) listed pertussis as one of the required vaccinations. [7] Defendants have provided no rationale for their contention that this mandatory immunization program insulates vaccine manufacturers from liability. Nothing in the language of either the statute or the rule promulgated pursuant to it supports defendants' contentions. We conclude that the fact that plaintiff's inoculation may have occurred pursuant to a mandatory vaccination program does not insulate manufacturers for injuries resulting from their negligence or their defective products. Accord, Flood v. Wyeth Laboratories, 183 Cal. App.3d 1272, 228 Cal. Rptr. 700 (1986).