delivered the opinion of the court:
Druanne Reilly, as mother and next friend of Christopher Reilly, brought this action seeking recovery against defendants (vaccine defendants 1 and thimerosal defendants 2 ) for her son’s autism, which was allegedly caused by his exposure to the mercury-based preservative, thimerosal, contained in several childhood vaccines. Druanne and her husband Ronald Reilly also individually brought an intentional infliction of emotional distress claim due to their son’s injuries. The circuit court dismissed the minor plaintiff’s claims pursuant to section 2—619(a)(1) of the Code of Civil Procedure (the Code) (735 ILCS 5/2—619(a)(1) (West 2004)) for failing to exhaust his remedies under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986 (the Vaccine Act or Act) (42 U.S.C. §300aa—1 et seq. (2000)). Additionally, the circuit court dismissed the parents’ intentional infliction of emotional distress claim pursuant to section 2—619(a)(9) of the Code (735 ILCS 5/2—619(a)(9) (West 2004)), finding that defendants’ alleged conduct could not constitute extreme and outrageous conduct as a matter of law.
On appeal, plaintiffs contend that they are not precluded from filing a state court action against defendants because: (1) Christopher did not suffer a “vaccine-related injury” as that term is defined under the Act; (2) the thimerosal defendants are not vaccine manufacturers or administrators under the Vaccine Act; (3) Christopher is not “qualified” to file a petition under the Act because his petition is admittedly time-barred and the Act does not preempt state law; (4) the Act’s lack of an equitable tolling provision violates Illinois public policy, which provides special protection to minors; and (5) the limitations period under the Act violates Christopher’s due process and equal protection rights under the United States Constitution. Additionally, plaintiffs contend that the circuit court erred in dismissing their claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress. For the following reasons, we affirm the judgment of the circuit court in part and reverse and remand in part.
BACKGROUND
As alleged in plaintiffs’ complaint, Christopher was born in 1995 and was administered a series of routine childhood vaccinations over the course of two years that contained the mercury-based preservative thimerosal. He subsequently developed certain disabilities, and in October 1998, he was diagnosed with autism, a neurological disorder. Plaintiffs alleged that defendants manufactured or caused thimerosal to be placed into certain vaccines administered to Christopher and that the exposure to the thimerosal caused his autism. The complaint was brought under theories of product liability, breach of warranty, negligence, consumer fraud, and battery. Additionally, plaintiffs Druanne and Ronald Reilly brought individual claims for intentional infliction of emotional distress, essentially alleging that defendants intentionally or knowingly added a known dangerous substance into a product designed, sold, and distributed for injection into infants and toddlers.
Thereafter, defendants sought dismissal of all claims brought on behalf of Christopher based on the argument that the state court lacked subject matter jurisdiction over these claims. Specifically, defendants maintained that plaintiffs were required to exhaust the remedies provided for by the Vaccine Act in the United States Court of Federal Claims before proceeding in state court. Defendants also moved to dismiss the intentional infliction of emotional distress count pursuant to sections 2—615 and 2—619(a)(9) of the Code. 735 ILCS 5/2 —615, 2—619(a)(9) (West 2004). They maintained that defendants’ conduct was strictly regulated and approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In support, they appended to their motion the relevant provisions of the Code of Federal Regulations that outline the FDA’s requirements for the approval, manufacture, and labeling of vaccines. The trial court took judicial notice of these regulations. 3 Based on this affirmative matter, defendants argued that the legitimate making and selling of FDA-approved thimerosal-containing vaccines could not constitute “extreme and outrageous” conduct. Defendants also argued that plaintiffs failed to plead the severe emotional distress element with the requisite specificity.
The circuit court dismissed the representative claims brought on behalf of Christopher without prejudice for lack of subject matter jurisdiction because they stemmed from a “vaccine-related injury” covered under the Vaccine Act. Additionally, after several opportunities to amend, the court dismissed the intentional infliction of emotional distress claim with prejudice, finding that the federal regulations demonstrated that the manufacturing and selling of FDA-approved vaccines could not, as a matter of law, be characterized as extreme and outrageous conduct. Plaintiffs filed a timely appeal.
ANALYSIS
In ruling on the circuit court’s dismissal order, we are asked to address the subject matter jurisdiction of the circuit court with respect to the claims brought on behalf of Christopher. Defendants sought to dismiss these claims pursuant to section 2—619(a)(1) of the Code (735 ILCS 5/2—619(a)(1) (West 2004)). A section 2—619 motion to dismiss admits the legal sufficiency of the complaint and raises defects, defenses, or other matters that act to defeat the claim. Cohen v. McDonald’s Corp.,
Plaintiffs contend that the circuit court erred in granting dismissal on the basis that plaintiffs were required to exhaust their administrative remedies under the Vaccine Act. 42 U.S.C. §300aa—11 (2000). In order to fully understand plaintiffs’ arguments, a basic understanding of the Vaccine Act’s purpose and administrative framework is necessary.
Enacted in 1986, the Vaccine Act established a remedial no-fault compensation program for vaccine-related injuries or death. 42 U.S.C. §300aa—10 et seq. (2000). The Act was designed to protect the nation’s vaccine supply and to create a fair and easily administered program to provide compensation for vaccine-related injuries. H.R. Rep. No. 99—908, at 5-7 (1986), as reprinted in 1986 U.S.C.C.A.N. 6344, 6346-48. The statute has a twofold policy: to expedite the award of damages and to protect vaccine manufacturers from burdensome litigation. H.R. Rep. No. 99—908, at 4 (1986), as reprinted in 1986 U.S.C.C.A.N. 6344-45. The program requires that a person seeking compensation for a vaccine-related injury must first file a petition against the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services before traditional tort remedies may be pursued. 42 U.S.C. §300aa—11(a)(2)(A) (2000); Shalala v. Whitecotton,
The claims are then heard by special masters appointed by the Court of Federal Claims, are adjudicated informally (42 U.S.C. §300aa—12(d)(2) (2000)), and are then accorded expeditious review by the Court of Federal Claims and the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals (42 U.S.C. §300aa—12(e)(2) (2000)); Whitecotton,
Specifically pertinent to this appeal, section 300aa—11(a)(2)(A) of the Act provides in relevant part:
“No person may bring a civil action for damages *** against a vaccine administrator or manufacturer in a State or Federal Court for damages arising from a vaccine-related injury or death associated with the administration of a vaccine *** unless a petition has been filed *** for compensation under the Program for such injury.” 42 U.S.C. §300aa—11(a)(2)(A) (2000).
The Act further provides that “[i]f a civil action which is barred under [the Act] is filed in a State or Federal court, the court shall dismiss the action.” 42 U.S.C. §300aa—11(a)(2)(B) (2000).
Plaintiffs raise various arguments contending that they are not required to exhaust their administrative remedies under the Vaccine Act before filing their claims on behalf of Christopher in state court. Initially, we address plaintiffs’ argument that they are not required to comply with the Vaccine Act’s procedural requirements because Christopher has not suffered a “vaccine-related injury” as that term is defined in the Act. The Vaccine Act defines “vaccine-related injury” as follows:
“an illness, injury, condition or death associated with one or more of the vaccines set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table [42 C.F.R. §100.3], except that term does not include an illness, injury, condition, or death associated with an adulterant or contaminant intentionally added to such a vaccine.” 42 U.S.C. §300aa—33(5) (2000).
Plaintiffs argue that they were harmed by thimerosal and that thimerosal is not a vaccine but, rather, a preservative added to multidose vials to extend a vaccine’s viable life. They allege that the thimerosal as used in the vaccines administered to Christopher falls under the exception because it is an “adulterant or contaminant” that was intentionally added to the vaccines. As a result, they maintain that they have at least established a question of fact that should not be decided by a motion to dismiss. We disagree.
The issue of whether Christopher’s injuries were “vaccine-related” as that term is defined in the statute concerns the construction of the statute, which is a question of law to be reviewed de novo. Vine Street Clinic v. HealthLink, Inc.,
Based on the allegations in the complaint, plaintiffs acknowledge that Christopher’s injuries were allegedly caused by a preservative in the vaccines administered to him and therefore his injuries were at least “associated with” the vaccines. Nevertheless, plaintiffs allege that the exception for “adulterant” or “contaminant” applies here. Neither the Act nor its regulations specifically define the terms “adulterant” or “contaminant.” Nevertheless, the dictionary defines “adulterant” as something that makes an item “corrupt, debase[d], or *** impure by the addition of a foreign or a baser substance.” Webster’s Third New International Dictionary 30 (1993). A “contaminant” is defined as something that corrupts or infects by contact or association. Webster’s Third New International Dictionary 490 (1993). A “preservative” is defined as a substance added against “decay, discoloration, or spoilage.” Webster’s Third New International Dictionary 1794 (1993). Thus, under the plain meaning of those words, thimerosal, as used in the vaccines, is the antithesis of an adulterant or contaminant within the meaning of section 300aa—33(5) of the Act (42 U.S.C. §300aa—33(5) (2000)) because its purpose is to prevent the corruption of the vaccine. At the time the vaccine was made, it was “intentionally added” as an approved ingredient in the formulation of a vaccine to preserve it. See 21 C.F.R. §610.15 (2006) (“[p]roducts in multi-dose containers shall contain a preservative”). Accordingly, injuries arising from a vaccine preservative are “vaccine-related injuries” under the Act.
Several other federal and state courts that have considered this issue have all held that under the plain meaning of the statute thimerosal is a constituent ingredient or component of the vaccine and not an adulterant or contaminant as a matter of law. Moss v. Merck & Co.,
We note that our supreme court has indicated that “uniformity of decision is an important consideration when state courts interpret federal statutes. [Citations.] *** In the absence of a decision of the United States Supreme Court, which would definitively answer the question presented by this case, we elect to give considerable weight to the decisions of federal courts of appeals and federal district courts that have addressed this issue.” Sprietsma v. Mercury Marine,
Additionally, although not binding authority, an administrative agency’s interpretation of the statutory scheme it is entrusted to administer has been given deference. See Chevron, U.S.A., Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc.,
Furthermore, in 2002, the Court of Federal Claims ruled that thimerosal-related claims were subject to its jurisdiction after construing the statutory definition of “vaccine-related injury.” See Leroy v. Secretary of the Department of Health & Human Services, No. 02—392V (Fed. Cl. 2002). By Autism General Order No. 1, the Court of Federal Claims established a schedule for adjudicating these autism-related claims and those proceedings are ongoing. In re Claims For Vaccine Injuries Resulting in Autism Spectrum Disorder or a Similar Neurodevelopmental Disorder,
Nevertheless, the Act’s exhaustion requirement does not apply to all vaccine-related lawsuits. Rather, it applies to only those suits brought against a “vaccine administrator or manufacturer.” 42 U.S.C. §300aa—11(a)(2)(A) (2000). Plaintiff contends that the thimerosal defendants are not vaccine manufacturers or administrators and, therefore, plaintiffs are not required to exhaust their administrative remedies before pursuing their claims against these defendants in state court.
The Act does not define “vaccine,” but it does define “manufacturer” as “any corporation, organization or institution, whether public or private *** which manufactures, imports, processes, or distributes under its label any vaccine set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table.” 42 U.S.C. §300aa—33(3) (2000). Thus, based on the definition as provided in the Act, the statute governs suits against a “manufacturer” that manufactures the vaccine as a whole under its own label and manufactures only those vaccines listed in the Vaccine Injury Table. The definition does not include manufacturers that sell only the component parts of a vaccine to a vaccine manufacturer.
In evaluating this same issue, under the same factual scenario, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has also considered this specific language and has held that under the plain meaning of the Act, the thimerosal manufacturers are not vaccine manufacturers. Moss v. Merck & Co.,
“Thimerosal is part of the finished product, to be sure, but it is not the finished product itself, and on its face the statute governs only lawsuits filed against manufacturers of a completed vaccine shipped under its own label and listed in the Vaccine Injury Table. Not surprisingly, [t]himerosal is not sold as a vaccine, nor is it listed in the statute’s table.” Moss,381 F.3d at 504 .
We find the federal court of appeals’ construction to be well reasoned. See also Holder v. Abbott Laboratories, Inc.,
Nevertheless, in the present case, the thimerosal defendants assert that suits against them must be dismissed in order to comply with the legislative intent behind the Act, reiterating that the purpose of the Act is to reduce civil litigation and “resolve a national vaccine crisis.” In support, defendants string cite numerous opinions, including unpublished opinions that do not specifically address the definition of “manufacturer” under the Act. These cases either focus on whether thimerosal-based claims are “vaccine-related” as defined by the Act rather than whether thimerosal manufacturers are vaccine “manufacturers,” or rely on an outdated version of the statute. To the extent that these opinions are nonprecedential and/or not directly on point, we do not consider them here.
The only published case cited by defendants addressing this issue is a federal district court case from the eastern district of Kentucky, Ferguson ex rel. Ferguson v. Aventis Pasteur Inc.,
Additionally, we reject Ferguson’s resort to the legislative history of the Act where the plain meaning of a vaccine manufacturer is ascertainable and unambiguous. Kunkel v. Walton,
Thereafter, on November 25, 2002, the Vaccine Act was again amended by the passage of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107—296, §§1714 to 1717, 116 Stat. 2320, 2321 (2002), which, in part, amended section 300aa—33(3) of the Vaccine Act by specifically including in the definition of “manufacturer” those who manufacture “any component or ingredient of any such vaccine.” Homeland Security Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107—296, §1714, 116 Stat. 2320 (2002). However, this definition was short-lived as it was repealed in February 2003. Consolidated Appropriations Resolution, 2003, Pub. L. No. 108—7, §102, 117 Stat. 528 (2003). In section 102(c) of the repeal, identified as “Rule of Construction,” Congress indicated:
“No inference shall be drawn from the enactment of sections 1714 through 1717 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (Public Law 107—296), or from this repeal, regarding the law prior to enactment of sections 1714 through 1717 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (Public Law 107—296). Further, no inference shall be drawn that subsection (a) or (b) affects any change in that prior law, or that Leroy v. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Office of Special Master, No. 02—392V (October 11, 2002), was incorrectly decided.” Consolidated Appropriations Resolution, 2003, Pub. L. No. 108—7, § 102(c), 117 Stat. 528 (2003).
Additionally, section 102(d) of the repeal, which is identified as “Sense of the Congress,” indicates that to ensure an adequate supply of vaccines and encourage the development of new vaccines, steps should be taken to ensure that manufacturers of components or ingredients of vaccines are adequately protected. Within six months of the repeal, Congress directed the relevant Senate and House committees to report a bill addressing these issues. Consolidated Appropriations Resolution, 2003, Pub. L. No. 108—7, §102(d), 117 Stat. 529 (2003). Congress has yet to pass any such legislation.
Thus, given that we are not to make any inferences from the amendment and subsequent repeal, that the unpublished Leroy decision did not specifically address the issue of who is a vaccine manufacturer, and that Congress has not spoken further on the issue, we rely on the plain meaning of the statute to hold that thimerosal manufacturers are not vaccine manufacturers. “[O]nly the most extraordinary showing of contrary intentions from [the legislative history] would justify a limitation on the ‘plain meaning’ of the statutory language.” Garcia v. United States,
We next consider plaintiffs’ contention that the Vaccine Act requires that Christopher be “qualified” to file a petition in the Court of Federal Claims (42 U.S.C. §300aa—11(a)(9) (2000)) and that he is not “qualified” because his petition would admittedly be time-barred pursuant to section 300aa—16(a)(2) of the Act (42 U.S.C. §300aa—16(a)(2) (2000)). As a result, they assert that the representative claims against the vaccine manufacturers may properly be brought in state court.
This court has previously rejected plaintiffs’ contention. In Dickey v. Connaught Laboratories, Inc.,
Based on the plain language of the statute, taking these sections together, the court in Dickey held that “this language clearly and unambiguously prohibits both an action and a remedy in state or federal court unless there has been a timely filing with the claims court.” Dickey,
We agree with the court in Dickey that the plain language of the Act provides that a party may not sue in state court unless it has first filed a petition in the Court of Federal Claims within the requisite 36-month period. Additionally, we find plaintiffs’ construction of the statute untenable. A statute should be construed such that no term is rendered meaningless or superfluous. Duncan v. Walker,
In a related argument, plaintiffs contend that Congress did not intend to preempt their state law claims where their ability to file a petition in the Court of Federal Claims is time-barred. Plaintiffs’ argument conflates the distinction between preemption and exhaustion of remedies. In Dickey, we explained that although the Vaccine Act does not preempt state law, Congress “may mandate that a party first timely file with an administrative agency before the party may proceed to a state civil action.” Dickey,
We next address plaintiffs’ contention that the lack of an equitable tolling provision under the Act for minors runs counter to Illinois public policy, which provides special protection for minor’s rights and allows them to bring a tort action two years after attaining the age of 18 (735 ILCS 5/13—211 (West 2004)). The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has strictly construed the Vaccine Act’s statute of limitations and has held that the equitable tolling doctrine is not available for claims arising under the Act. Brice v. Secretary of Health & Human Services,
We find no conflict with Illinois public policy. Indeed, to the extent that the federal administrative framework of the Vaccine Act implicates Illinois public policy, Illinois has consistently held that time limitations upon bringing actions before administrative agencies are matters of jurisdiction which cannot be tolled. Fredman Brothers Furniture Co. v. Department of Revenue,
Furthermore, in Dickey, this court rejected plaintiffs’ argument, finding that Congress considered public policy in its drafting of the Act, that it was focused on affording an injured party an expedited procedure while keeping vaccine manufacturers in the market, and that its objectives would not be realized if a claim was subject to protracted litigation. Dickey,
We next consider plaintiffs’ constitutional claims. Plaintiffs contend that section 300aa—16(a)(2) of the Act (42 U.S.C. §300aa—16(a)(2) (2000)) violates Christopher’s rights to due process and equal protection under the fifth amendment. They assert that the Act provides children who suffer from latent injuries such as autism with the same 36-month time frame to file their petition for compensation as children who suffer injuries with clear and Immediate onsets, identified as so-called “on-table” injuries, which are specifically listed in the Vaccine Act Injury Table. 42 U.S.C. §300aa—14 (2000). Plaintiffs argue that the lack of a discovery rule for latent “off-table” injuries precludes any reasonable opportunity to pursue a claim until after the statute of limitations has run because these claims cannot be easily traced to the vaccine.
The Vaccine Act’s limitations period is subject to a rational-basis standard of review. Black v. Secretary of Health & Human Services,
Initially, plaintiff fails to articulate any real invidious discrimination between the time frame for filing for children with “on-table” injuries and those with “off-table” injuries. Rather, the two classes of children are treated the same. The statute does not begin to run until the “manifestation of onset” of the injury. 42 U.S.C. §300aa—16(a)(2) (2000). For example, although a child with encephalopathy may have knowledge of an immediate injury, a child with a latent defect has until the injury manifests itself for the statute to begin to run. Accordingly, in both instances, the statute does not begin to run until the claimant discovers the injury.
Plaintiffs’ argument was also considered and rejected in Blackmon v. American Home Products Corp.,
Plaintiffs additionally object to the limitations provision on due process grounds. They assert that they have been deprived of a protected property interest in their state cause of action because they are barred under the Act’s time limitation and would be unable to seek relief in state court. They argue that the Vaccine Act’s limitations period deprives them of any reasonable opportunity to pursue a claim in the Court of Federal Claims until after the statute of limitations has run due to the latent nature of autism and its complex causal link to thimerosal.
Plaintiffs argue that “[i]t is well established that the [p]laintiffs’ cause of action is a protected property interest,” citing Logan v. Zimmerman Brush Co.,
Having dismissed the representative claims brought on Christopher’s behalf against the vaccine manufacturers, we now consider plaintiffs’ individual claims for intentional infliction of emotional distress. It is undisputed that this claim is not subject to the Vaccine Act because the parents individually have not suffered a “vaccine-related injury” (42 U.S.C. §300aa—11(b)(1)(A) (2000)). Rather, defendants maintain that the cause of action must be dismissed pursuant to both section 2—615 and 2—619(a)(9) of the Code. 735 ILCS 5/2—615, 2—619(a)(9) (West 2004).
A section 2—619(a)(9) motion to dismiss permits involuntary dismissal where “the claim asserted against defendant is barred by other affirmative matter avoiding the legal effect of or defeating the claim.” 735 ILCS 5/2—619(a)(9) (West 2004). Affirmative matter is “something in the nature of a defense which negates the cause of action completely or refutes crucial conclusions of law or material fact contained in or inferred from the complaint.” Illinois Graphics Co. v. Nickum,
Once a defendant satisfies the initial burden of presenting affirmative matter, the burden then shifts to the plaintiff to establish that the defense is “unfounded or requires the resolution of an essential element of material fact before it is proven.” Kedzie & 103rd Currency Exchange, Inc.,
To state a cause of action for intentional infliction of emotional distress, plaintiffs must allege that (1) the conduct was truly extreme and outrageous; (2) the actor either intended that his conduct inflict severe emotional distress, or knew that there was a high probability that the conduct would cause severe emotional distress; and (3) the conduct, in fact, caused severe emotional distress. Feltmeier v. Feltmeier,
Whether conduct could be deemed “extreme and outrageous” is evaluated objectively based on all of the facts and circumstances. McGrath v. Fahey,
Plaintiffs alleged the following facts with respect to their intentional infliction of emotional distress claim. Christopher was administered a series of vaccines containing the mercury-based preservative thimerosal between 1995 and 1997. Defendants either manufactured, designed and/or distributed thimerosal or manufactured, designed and/or distributed these childhood vaccines containing thimerosal, representing that these products were safe to administer to children, yet knowing that thimerosal caused or potentially caused severe neurological disorders such as autism in these children. In support of this allegation, plaintiffs alleged that by 1982, defendants knew or should have known that thimerosal was a toxin and that they had “actual knowledge that including thimerosal into vaccine products as a preservative administered to children would potentially cause significant and permanent neurological injury to children.” Additionally, plaintiffs alleged that “[i]n 1999 the [FDA] discovered that children were receiving more than 100 times the Environmental Protection Agency’s limit for mercury by the time they reached 18 months of age,” and “required the removal of [t]himerosal from all over-the-counter drugs.” Plaintiffs further alleged that “[i]n 2001, the [FDA] issued a statement warning pregnant women and young children from eating fish containing high levels of mercury for fear that the consumption of substances [containing] mercury may cause neurological damage to children.” Additionally, plaintiffs alleged that in 1999 and 2000 it was recommended that thimerosal be removed from all childhood vaccines.
As affirmative matter to rebut those allegations, defendants submitted the relevant federal regulations pertinent to the approval, manufacture, and labeling of vaccines by the FDA. For example, section 601.2(d) of the Code of Federal Regulations provides that the issuance of a license shall constitute a determination that the product meets the requisite safety standards. 21 C.F.R. §601.2(d) (2006). Section 610.15 provides in pertinent part that “[a]ny preservative used shall be sufficiently nontoxic so that the amount present in the recommended dose of the product will not be toxic to the recipient.” 21 C.F.R. §610.15 (2006).
Based upon plaintiffs’ allegations and the affirmative matter, plaintiffs cannot establish that defendants engaged in “extreme and outrageous conduct” or that defendants intended or knew that there was a high probability that their conduct would cause severe emotional distress. According to plaintiffs’ allegations, it was not until two years after Christopher was administered these vaccines that the FDA or other health agencies announced that the amount of thimerosal in vaccines could potentially cause adverse neurological side effects. Prior to that time, it is undisputed that these vaccines were FDA-approved in accordance with a national public health policy (see 42 U.S.C. §300aa—1 (2000)).
Plaintiffs’ allegation that defendants knew by 1982 that thimerosal was a toxic substance cannot alone support extreme and outrageous conduct where defendants’ affirmative matter established that under the requisite federal regulations, the FDA determined that the amount of thimerosal used was “sufficiently nontoxic.” See 21 C.F.R. §610.15(a) (2006). Thus, it cannot be said that defendants’ actions in manufacturing or distributing FDA-approved vaccines to Christopher rose to the level of extreme and outrageous conduct or that severe emotional distress was substantially certain to result from their conduct. Accordingly, the trial court properly dismissed the intentional infliction of emotional distress count as a matter of law pursuant to section 2—619(a)(9). 735 ILCS 5/2—619(a)(9) (West 2004). Due to our disposition, we need not address defendants’ motion pursuant to section 2—615 of the Code.
For all of the foregoing reasons, we affirm the circuit court order dismissing the representative claims brought on behalf of Christopher against the vaccine manufacturers for lack of subject matter jurisdiction, but reverse that part of the order as it relates to the thimerosal manufacturers, and affirm the dismissal of count VII for intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Affirmed in part and reversed in part; cause remanded in part.
QUINN, P.J., and CUNNINGHAM, J., concur.
Notes
Wyeth, f/k/a American Home Products Corporation, Baxter Healthcare Corporation, Bioport Corporation, Aventis Pasteur, Inc., Merck & Co., Inc., Celltech Pharmaceuticals, Inc., f/k/a Medeva Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Smith-Kline Beecham Corporation, d/b/a GlaxoSmithKline.
Eli Lilly and Company, Sigma-Aldrich Co., Spectrum Laboratory Products, Inc., and EMD Chemicals.
Defendants also submitted a 1982 FDA “Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking” regarding over-the-counter drugs containing thimerosal for topical antimicrobial use (47 Fed. Reg. 436 (January 5, 1982) (to be codified at 21 C.F.R. pt. 333)), and other public records of the FDA and other agencies regarding the use of thimerosal as a preservative in vaccines. The trial court did not consider these documents because it ruled that defendants failed to meet the requisites of Supreme Court Rule 191 (145 Ill. 2d R. 191).
We note that access to state tort remedies and their applicable statutes of limitation is not entirely abolished under the Act but, rather, is deferred. Thus, where a petition proceeds in the Court of Federal Claims, state statutes of limitation are explicitly stayed. 42 U.S.C. §§300aa—21(c), 300aa—16(c) (2000).