N.Y. Federal Lawsuit Targeting Merck’s MMR Vaccine Dismissed

NEW YORK — A New York federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by a minor who alleges he developed autism as a result of receiving Merck’s measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, ruling that the plaintiff failed to exhaust his administrative remedies, as required by federal law.

In a March 21 order, Senior Judge Frederic Block of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York further ruled that the plaintiff failed to plead his fraud claims against Merck with the requisite particularity.

“Baby Doe” alleged the MMR vaccine, which he received in 1999, caused him to …