News Release

Influenza Vaccine Injuries Are Added to Federal Compensation Program

People thought to be injured by influenza vaccines given annually will be eligible for compensation under National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP), effective July 1, 2005.

The VICP, created by Congress in 1986 as an alternative to traditional civil litigation, provides financial compensation to eligible individuals thought to be injured by covered childhood vaccines. Administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration, the program allows compensation for past and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages. In addition, compensation may also be awarded for attorneys’ fees and costs.

Influenza is a serious disease affecting people of all ages. Each year in the United States, it causes 36,000 deaths mostly among those aged 65 years or older and more than 200,000 hospitalizations. Yearly influenza vaccination is recommended as the best way to reduce the chances of getting influenza for children aged 6-23 months, adults aged 65 years and older, and others.

Most people who receive the vaccine experience no serious problems. However, a vaccine, like any medicine, may rarely cause serious problems such as severe allergic reactions. In those rare cases, the VICP provides compensation to those found to be seriously injured. To be eligible for compensation, claims must be filed:

• within three years after the first symptoms of the vaccine injury;
• within two years of the vaccine-related death and not more than four years after the start of the first symptom of the vaccine-related injury from which the death occurred; or
• within 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 influenza vaccines, claims not meeting the two deadlines above have to be filed by July 1, 2007, for injuries or deaths that occurred on or after July 1, 1997.

The appropriate filing deadline is the one above that provides the most time to file an injury or death claim.

To access the Federal Register notice announcing coverage of the influenza vaccine under the VICP, to learn how to file a claim, or to obtain more information on the program, visit http://www.hrsa.gov/osp/vicp, or call 1-800-338-2382.