Injuries and Illnesses Caused By Vaccines

Vaccines prevent diseases and doctors recommend vaccines to protect us. Most people get vaccines and have no serious problems. However, sometimes a person develops an injury or illness in response to a vaccine. Many people are not aware that if they are injured or become seriously ill as a result of a vaccination, they may be eligible for compensation from the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.

What is the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program?

The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program is a no-fault alternative to filing a claim against a vaccine manufacturer or healthcare provider for injuries or illnesses caused by a vaccine. The program provides compensation to people that have been found to be injured by certain vaccines that are listed in the Vaccine Injury Table. It was established by the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986 after lawsuits against vaccine manufacturers and health care providers threatened to decrease the availability of vaccines and reduce vaccination rates. 

What vaccines are covered?

• Diphtheria 
• Haemophilus influenza type b polysaccharide conjugate vaccines 
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Human papillomavirus
• Seasonal influenza 
• Measles
• Mumps
• Meningococcal
• Pertussis
• Pneumococcal conjugate
• Polio
• Rotavirus
• Rubella
• Tetanus
• Varicella

What Vaccine Injuries May Be Covered?

The Vaccine Injury Table lists the different vaccines along with the illness, injury or condition that is covered by the program. The Table also lists the time period in which a person develops symptoms of onset of the injury. 

Some injuries and conditions included in the Vaccine Injury Table are: 

• Anaphylaxis
• Brachial neuritis
• Shoulder injury related to vaccine administration
• Vasovagal syncope
• Encephalopathy
• Chronic arthritis
• Paralytic polio
• Guillain-Barre Syndrome

There are other injuries, illnesses or conditions that may result from a vaccine that are not covered by the Vaccine Injury Table but that still may qualify for compensation in the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. If you have an injury that is not included on the Table, you must be able to prove that the vaccine caused the injury or condition through medical records and expert medical testimony.