Owners Bring $53 Million Class Action Suit Against Zoetis Australia Over Vaccine

ABC News in Australia reports that a group of horse owners have organized a class-action lawsuit against Zoetis Australia, claiming the company failed to adequately warn consumers about potential side effects of a vaccine for the Hendra virus. Plaintiffs are seeking AUD$53 million in damages (USD$43 million).

The owners claim 1,500 horses out of roughly 500,000 vaccinated have suffered adverse reactions to the vaccine and have been unable to resume regular work as a result.

Zoetis, which claimed it had not been notified of a claim, said its product was safe and effective and such a class-action attack “on vaccination ha[s] the potential to the put the lives of vets, the horse owning public and horses at risk.”

The Hendra virus causes a respiratory infection in horses and is transmitted through flying foxes. The virus can cause severe respiratory symptoms, difficulty breathing, ataxia and heart problems. Outbreaks most commonly take place in Australia and southeast Asia.

Read more at ABC