Legal fears block vaccine research for pregnant women, newborns

That's the topic of this story in Friday's Baltimore Sun -- "Pregnant Pause." It examines the potential for a vaccine against Group B Streptococcus -- which affects thousands of newborns annually -- and the (seemingly justifiable) reluctance of the pharmaceutical industry to pursue a vaccine against it.

Why? Among other reasons, the story points to the regulatory difficulties of testing new product in pregnant women and newborns and the extreme legal vulnerability the companies would face if allegations of safety concerns come to light (real or alleged) even after a potential vaccine was licensed.

The story goes on to outline how legal worries influence physician attitudes regarding pertussis and influenza vaccination for pregnant women, contrary to the recommendations of the scientific and medical communities. It's a very interesting story for those thinking about how science, law, and policy interact.