VAERS Is Not the VICP

If you or your child have ever received a vaccine, such as a childhood immunization (DTaP, MMR, etc.), or the HPV vaccine (including Gardasil), or the seasonal flu shot, you may have been given an information sheet.  They include facts about the diseases being prevented by the vaccine, and possible side effects.

They also contain two other pieces of information: how to report a reaction to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), and information about the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) for persons who may have been injured by the vaccine.  The two are not the same.

VAERS is a national surveillance program sponsored by agencies of the federal government to collect and analyze information about adverse events and possible side effects that occur after a shot or immunization.  VAERS collects reports of reactions from the person or parent of the person receiving the vaccination, or the provider administering it, such as a physician, doctor, nurse, hospital, clinic, or pharmacy.

The VICP is much different.  The VICP is a federal program for persons who experience a Vaccine Injury, which occurs when a child or adult experiences certain adverse reactions after receiving one of several vaccinations covered under the program.  When a person has had one of these vaccines, and then suffers an illness or condition, they may have a Vaccine Injury and can file a claim for compensation from the VICP.

It is critical to know that if you or your doctor makes a report to VAERS, it is NOT a claim to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. Also, a report to VAERS will not extend the time to file a claim for compensation.

How can Vaccine Injury Pros help you? 

You can contact us about a possible Vaccine Injury by visiting our Contact page. And you can learn more about the NVICP and the firm's representation of persons with possible Vaccine Injury claims by visiting the Vaccine Injury page and other articles in our Blog.