Adverse vaccine reactions are relatively rare. While healthcare providers in the United States administer hundreds of millions of vaccinations each year, less than 2,000 vaccine recipients file claims under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (the “Vaccine Program”) annually.

But, if you have concerns about a possible adverse vaccine reaction, this does not mean that you should dismiss them. While adverse vaccine reactions are relatively rare, they do happen. Here, vaccine injury attorney Leah V. Durant explains the differences between a side effect and an adverse reaction, as well as some key information about filing a claim for an adverse reaction under the Vaccine Program:

5 Important Facts About Adverse Vaccine Reactions and the Vaccine Program

1. Side Effects of Vaccination vs. Adverse Vaccine Reactions

Most, if not all, vaccines present risks for mild side effects. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recognizes these side effects, and the Vaccine Information Statements (VIS) for CDC-recommended vaccines note the side effects that recipients may experience in the hours and days following their immunizations.

These side effects are not considered adverse vaccine reactions. They are classified as “mild,” and they will generally go away within 24 to 48 hours of vaccination. Some examples of common side effects include pain and swelling at the injection site, fatigue and a slight fever.

Adverse vaccine reactions are more serious than vaccine side effects.

Although the CDC considers all of its recommended vaccines to be safe for most people, some vaccine recipients will experience adverse reactions. These adverse reactions can have a wide range of effects, and they can last anywhere from weeks to the rest of the vaccine recipient’s lifetime. While each CDC-recommended vaccine presents its own unique set of potential risks, some of the more-common types of adverse vaccine reactions include:

• Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP)
• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
• Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS)
• Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP)
• Polymyalgia Rheumatica
• Severe Allergic Reactions (Anaphylaxis)
• Shoulder Injuries Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA)

2. The Importance of a Timely Diagnosis

When experiencing symptoms of a possible adverse vaccine reaction, obtaining a timely diagnosis is extremely important. With certain types of adverse reactions—various forms of SIRVA, for example—prompt treatment can mitigate the long-term risks. So, not only can obtaining a timely diagnosis prevent unnecessary complications, but it can reduce the costs of treatment as well.

But, obtaining a timely diagnosis is also important for another reason: It helps with pursuing a successful claim under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. When seeking financial compensation under the Vaccine Program, it is necessary to prove how soon after your vaccination you began to experience symptoms. If your medical records show that you sought treatment shortly after getting immunized, this can help eliminate many of the challenges involved in filing a successful claim.

3. Vaccines Covered Under the Vaccine Program

While the Vaccine Program covers many CDC-recommended vaccines, it doesn’t cover all of them. For example, the Vaccine Program does not currently cover COVID-19 vaccines, nor does it cover many of the vaccines recommended when traveling to a foreign country. Currently, the vaccines covered under the Vaccine Program are:

• Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis (DTP, DTaP, Tdap, DT, Td, TT)
• Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
• Hepatitis A (HAV)
• Hepatitis B (HBV)
• Human papillomavirus (HPV)
• Seasonal influenza
• Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR, MR, M and R)
• Meningococcal (MCV4, MPSV4, MenB-FHbp and MenB-4C)
• Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV)
• Polio (OPV or IPV)
• Rotavirus (RV)
• Varicella (VAR)

4. Adverse Vaccine Reactions Covered Under the Vaccine Program

If you look at the Vaccine Program’s Vaccine Injury Table, you will note that it lists certain adverse reactions associated with each individual covered vaccine. While these are some of the adverse reactions covered under the Vaccine Program, the program also covers “off table” injuries and illnesses.

An “off table” injury or illness is any medical condition caused by a covered vaccine that is not listed on the Vaccine Injury Table. Polymyalgia rheumatica is an example. While polymyalgia rheumatica has been linked to several of the vaccines listed on the Vaccine Injury Table—and while vaccine recipients can file claims for polymyalgia rheumatica—it is currently classified as an “off table” condition.

5. The Steps Involved in Filing a Claim Under the Vaccine Program

If you have been diagnosed with an adverse vaccine reaction and are interested in pursuing a claim under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, there are some important steps you will need to take to get ready. These steps include:

• Make Sure You Have Documentation of Your Vaccination – If possible, you should make sure you have a copy of your vaccination record.
• Determine if You Received a Covered Vaccine – You will want to determine if you received a covered vaccine (you can do this using the list above). If you received a different vaccine, you may have a different type of claim.
• Collect Your Medical Records – Try to collect any medical records you have that are related to the diagnosis and treatment of your adverse vaccine reaction.
• Gather Documentation of Your Costs – Try to collect your medical records, prescriptions, receipts, employment records and any other records documenting the out-of-pocket costs of your condition.
• Speak with a Vaccine Injury Attorney – A vaccine injury attorney can determine if you are eligible to file a claim under the Vaccine Program; and, if you are, your attorney can file your claim on your behalf. You can hire an attorney to handle your claim at no out-of-pocket cost.

Schedule a Free Consultation with Vaccine Injury Attorney Leah V. Durant

When dealing with an adverse vaccine reaction, it is important to make informed decisions about asserting your legal rights. Vaccine injury attorney Leah V. Durant represents vaccine recipients and families nationwide, and she can determine if you are eligible for financial compensation under the Vaccine Program. To get started with a free and confidential consultation, please 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.

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Tags: CDC, Guillain-Barré Syndrome, National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, shoulder injuries related to vaccine administration, Vaccine Information Statement, Vaccine Injury, VICP