Vaccine Injury
Compensation Trust Fund
The
Vaccine
Injury
Compensation
Trust
Fund
(Trust
Fund)
provides
funding
for
the
National
Vaccine
Injury
Compensation
Program
(VICP)
to
compensate
vaccine-related
injury
or
death
claims
for
covered
vaccines
administered
on
or
after
October
1,
1988.
The
Trust
Fund
is
funded
by
a
$0.75
excise
tax
on
each
dose
of
vaccine
purchased
(i.e.,
each
disease
prevented
in
a
dose
of
vaccine).
For
example,
the
excise
tax
imposed
on
a
dose
of
trivalent
influenza
vaccine
is
$0.75
because
it
prevents
one
disease,
whereas
the
excise
tax
imposed
on
a
dose
of
the
measles-mumps-rubella
vaccine
is
$2.25
because
prevents
three
diseases.
The
taxable
vaccines
have
also
been recommended by the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) for routine
administration to children.
The Department of Treasury collects the
excise taxes, and oversees and manages
the investing activities for the Trust
Fund. As of January 31, 2007, the Trust
Fund balance was nearly $2.5 billion.
The Trust Fund monthly reports are available
on the Treasury’s
Bureau of Public Debt Website.
| This
information reflects the current thinking of the United States Department
of Health and Human Services on the topics addressed. This information is
not legal advice and does not create or confer any rights for or on any
person and does not operate to bind the Department or the public. The ultimate
decision about the scope of the statutes authorizing the VICP is within
the authority of the United States Court of Federal Claims, which is responsible
for resolving claims for compensation under the VICP.
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