As a parent, all you want is to keep your children safe. As a result, you take your children to their pediatrician’s office on an annual basis, and you get your children vaccinated according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recommended immunization schedule. The last thing you expect is for this to result in your child being harmed. But, unfortunately, a very small percentage of vaccinations do result in injuries—including injuries to children.
For parents whose children exhibit symptoms of vaccine injuries, it is important to seek medical attention promptly. It is also important to speak with a vaccine attorney about your family’s legal rights. Your family may be entitled to compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP), including compensation for your child’s medical expenses and certain other financial and non-financial losses.
Approximately 10 Percent of VICP Claims Involve Injuries to Children
According to data from the U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), which is the federal agency responsible for administering the VICP, approximately 10 percent of all claims filed under the program involve injuries to children. From 2017 through 2020, out of just under 5,000 petitions filed, just over 500 involved vaccine recipients who were 17 years of age or younger:
- 2017: Of 1,243 VICP claims filed, 162 involved injuries to children.
- 2018: Of 1,238 VICP claims filed, 124 involved injuries to children.
- 2019: Of 1,282 VICP claims filed, 113 involved injuries to children.
- 2020: Of 1,191 VICP claims filed, 107 involved injuries to children.
These figures encompass all vaccines that the CDC recommends for children from birth through age 18. They also encompass all types of vaccine-related injuries and illnesses. However, according to HRSA’s data, more than a quarter of all claims filed under the VICP (for adults and children) involve injuries and illnesses resulting from the annual flu shot, and the majority of all claims filed under the VICP involve shoulder injuries related to vaccine administration (SIRVA).
Listed from most-prevalent to least-prevalent, 10 of the vaccines currently administered in the United States that are most commonly linked to vaccine injuries and illnesses (based on number of VICP claims filed) are:
- Influenza vaccine (annual flu shot)
- Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine
- Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine
- Hepatitis B vaccine
- Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTaP) vaccine
- Inactivated polio (ITP) vaccine
- Tetanus and diphtheria (Td) vaccine
- Rubella vaccine
- Tetanus
- Hepatitis A
There is a huge amount of variation in this list. For example, while the VICP has processed more than 6,600 claims involving flu shot injuries, just 120 claims have been filed in for Hepatitis A vaccine injuries. Regardless of the statistics, however, parents who have any concerns about the effects of any childhood immunization should seek professional help right away.
Contact National Vaccine Attorney Leah V. Durant
Do you have questions about seeking financial compensation for a child vaccination injury under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP)? To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with national vaccine attorney Leah V. Durant, call 202-800-1711 or request an appointment online today.
Leah Durant Bio
Experienced litigation attorney Leah Durant focuses on representing clients in complex vaccine litigation matters. Leah Durant is the owner and principal attorney of the Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, a litigation firm based in Washington, DC. Leah Durant and her staff represent clients and their families who suffer from vaccine-related injuries, adverse vaccine reactions and vaccine-related deaths. The Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC is dedicated to assisting individuals in recovering the highest level of compensation as quickly and efficiently as possible. To learn more, contact vaccine attorney Leah Durant today.
Categories: vaccine injury
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