skip header and navigation
H R S A News Brief U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
Health Resources and Services Administration

HRSA NEWS ROOM
http://newsroom.hrsa.gov


April 20, 2007 Contact: HRSA Press Office
301-443-3376

Two Vaccines Are Added to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program

Meningococcal and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines have been added to the table of vaccines covered under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP), HHS’ Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announced today in the Federal Register.

Meningococcal vaccines protect individuals against the bacteria, Neisseria meningitides, one of the leading causes of bacterial meningitis in children and adolescents. HPV vaccines prevent cervical cancer and other diseases in females that are caused by certain types of genital HPV.

Persons of all ages who receive a VICP-covered vaccine may be eligible to file a claim. To be eligible for compensation, VICP claims must be filed within:

  • three years after the first symptom of the vaccine injury; or

  • two years of the vaccine-related death and four years after the start of the first symptom of the vaccine-related injury from which the death occurred; or

  • two years from the date the vaccine is covered for injuries or deaths that occurred up to eight years before the date the vaccine is covered. For meningococcal and HPV vaccines, claims must be filed by February 2, 2009, for injuries or deaths that occurred on or after February 1, 1999.

Created by Congress in 1986 as an alternative to the traditional civil court system and administered by HRSA, the VICP provides compensation for past and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages to eligible individuals found to be injured by certain vaccines. In addition, compensation may also be awarded for attorneys’ fees and costs.

To learn more about the VICP by phone, call 1-800-338-2382.

#

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), part of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the primary Federal agency for improving access to health care services for people who are uninsured, isolated, or medically vulnerable. HRSA also oversees the national organ and tissue transplantation system, trains a diverse health care workforce and places them in health professional shortage areas, and promotes and improves the health of women and children. For more information about HRSA and its programs, visit www.hrsa.gov.


Go to:  News Room | HRSA | HHS | Privacy Policy | Disclaimers | Accessibility | FOIA | Search | Questions?