Vaccines are an important part of our culture because they prevent diseases, thus saving lives. Most people who get vaccinated notice no ill effects and reap all the benefits. Like any medication, side effects can occur, but they are rare. In a small percentage of cases, a vaccine can cause a severe allergic reaction. Here’s where the National Vaccine Compensation Program (NVCP) comes in. People who do suffer a serious problem related to a vaccine can receive financial compensation through a settlement.
The NVCP came about in the 1980s as a reaction to lawsuits filed against vaccine companies and health care providers. These events threatened to cause a shortage of vaccines, which could have resulted in diseases that have been essentially wiped out to make a ghastly recurrence. The program allows any person who believes he or she was harmed by a vaccine covered by NVCP (listed below) to file a petition.
Once filed, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services makes a recommendation if the petition meets the medical criteria. The U.S. Department of justice then writes a report including the medical recommendation and legal analysis, and then submits it to the court. The court-appointed special master determines whether the person should be compensated (oftentimes after hearing evidence from both parties), and the specific type of compensation awarded.
List of vaccines covered by NVCP
• Diphtheria
• Haemophilus influenza type b polysaccharide conjugate vaccines
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Human papilloma virus
• Seasonal influenza
• Measles
• Mumps
• Meningococcal
• Pertussis
• Pneumococcal conjugate
• Polio
• Rotavirus
• Rubella
• Tetanus
• Varicella
Despite rare adverse reactions, do not let this knowledge of settlements deter you from getting a vaccination. Some people are averse to vaccines for a number of reasons, but knowing about the safety net of the NVCP can give you a peace of mind. Your doctor should keep you up to date on your vaccines, but it’s beneficial to double check for yourself. If you or anyone in your family have experienced severe side effects from one of the above vaccinations, get in touch with Reich and Binstock today, and we will help you use the NVCP to get you the compensation you deserve.
