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GlaxoSmithKline Boostrix Class Action Lawsuit Overview:
- Who: A consumer, Lori DeCostanzo, is suing pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline over Boostrix, an immunization booster manufactured by the company and advertised as preventing the transmission of pertussis, also known as whooping cough.
- Why: DeCostanzo cites research showing that Boostrix can actually increase the transmission of whooping cough, as it reduces symptoms but creates a defective form of immunity, increasing the likelihood a person taking Boostrix can unknowingly transmit whooping cough.
- Where: The lawsuit was filed in federal court in New York State.
A new nationwide class action lawsuit alleges a pharmaceutical company scared millions of consumers into receiving Boostrix, an immunization booster that’s advertised as stopping the transmission of whooping cough but, the lawsuit alleges, can actually increase it.
Plaintiff Lori DeCostanzo filed the class action complaint Sunday against GlaxoSmithKline PLC and GlaxoSmithKline LLC (GSK), alleging violations of federal consumer laws.
DeCostanzo says she is one of the millions of consumers who received Boostrix due to GSK’s vigorous marketing of the product to consumers in the United States.
She says GSK claimed that those receiving Boostrix were less likely to infect babies with pertussis — or whooping cough — which can lead to serious complications and death in babies. However, those claims are false, she says.
“Boostrix, does not reduce the likelihood of becoming infected with and transmitting the pertussis bacteria,” the complaint states. “To the contrary, it actually increases the likelihood that those receiving this product will become infected with and transmit pertussis.”
DeConstanzo alleges that this is because, while Boostrix may reduce the symptoms of pertussis, it does not prevent those receiving this product from becoming infected with and transmitting whooping cough.
She says this is backed up by research from premier universities and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which has established that even though Boostrix decreases the odds of a person experiencing the symptoms of pertussis, it creates a defective form of immunity to pertussis in the person receiving this product.
“This defective immunity actually renders them susceptible to becoming repeatedly infected with pertussis, potentially every month, without knowing they are infected,” she says. “Boostrix therefore creates a state in which individuals receiving this product can repeatedly become infected, have little or no symptoms to indicate they have been infected… and hence silently spread pertussis.”
Despite being aware of the research, GSK continued to increase fear around the spread of whooping cough in order to increase sales of Boostrix, DeConstanzo alleges.
She says the company’s advertisements made it appear that, if people do not receive Boostrix, they will endanger babies because they will be susceptible to spreading the infection to those too young to be vaccinated.
The advertisements were designed to spread the false premise that by receiving Boostrix, the recipient could not be infected with and transmit pertussis, DeCostanzo alleges.
“Even though GSK knew or should have known that this was false, it believed that the fear of spreading the infection generated by this advertising campaign would increase the sales of Boostrix,” the lawsuit reads.
DeCostanzo says GSK wrongfully influenced her to be injected with Boostrix, along with millions of others.
She’s looking to represent any United States consumer who received Boostrix, alleging unjust enrichment, negligent misrepresentation, fraud, and violations of the consumer protection, false advertising, implied warranty, and express warranty laws.
DeCostanzo is seeking certification of the class action, damages, treble damages, disgorgement of profits, interest, fees, costs and a jury trial.
British multinational pharmaceuticals company GlaxoSmithKline owns a wide range of consumer healthcare products that have been at the forefront of consumer backlash over the years. Complaints have circulated from consumers regarding a range of GlaxoSmithKline consumer healthcare products, which have led to numerous lawsuits and class action lawsuits being filed.
Click here to learn more about the latest GlaxoSmithKline lawsuit updates, the potential lawsuit settlement amounts, and learn about any GlaxoSmithKline news updates to discover if there are any lawsuit settlements or class action investigations that you may be able to join.
Have you had Boostrix? Let us know what you think of this lawsuit in the comments!
The plaintiff is represented by Aaron Siri, Elizabeth Brehm and Catherine Cline of Siri & Glimstad LLP.
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4 thoughts onGlaxoSmithKline Scaremongered Consumers Into Boostrix Vaccine, Class Action Lawsuit Alleges
My granddaughter is due – tomorrow. (5/31/22). I just found out that I will not be able to see my grandbaby unless I get the vaccination, as my son and his wife have been sold on the dangers to the baby if I don’t get it. Also, due to the timing, I will not get to hold my only grandchild for two weeks as I will be getting the shot tomorrow. This is against my wishes, but the only way I can spend time with my own grandchild. As far as I can see, we do not currently have any current cases in my state. I may not be physically hurt by this, but there is most definitely, pain and suffering.
I begrudgingly was vaccinated against whooping cough as a result of this campaign at the insistence of my son when his wife was pregnant with my first grandchild (although the hospital where I was a volunteer did not require it!). I soon became very sick with many of the side effects described in the lawsuit– severe joint and muscle pain, swollen lymph nodes, decreased energy, etc. My health has never returned to the excellent condition I was in at the time of this shot. I am contacting my doctor to determine if this is the injection I received, to see if I qualify to join this lawsuit
I also recently had the Boostrix vaccine at the request of my youngest daughter as the hospital advised that it was necessary so I could be at the pending birth of her baby. I woke the next day to severe muscle weakness, pain and stiff joints in my hips and legs which over a few days spread to my arms, neck and head. It has been 4 weeks and my left leg has not come good. I have terrible pain from my hip through to my knee, shin and ankle. My knee is extremely tight despite, massage, physio and yoga. I seem to have what I think is nerve pain also randomly throughout the night and day which is getting me down. I was a very fit person with no leg problems at all prior to this. I saw a Dr a week after my vaccine and he confirmed it was a reaction to the tetanus and diphtheria toxoids in the Boostrix.
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