October Was Vaccine Injury Awareness Month, but It’s Not Too Late to Take Action

With the new school year in full swing and the holiday season right around the corner, October tends to be a busy month for vaccinations. In order to help raise awareness of the risks associated with flu shots and other vaccines during this busy time of year, October has been designated as Vaccine Injury Awareness Month nationwide.

Although we’re in the month of November, we wanted to take a look back at Vaccine Injury Awareness Month and remind everyone: It is not too late to educate yourself and your loved ones about the risks of vaccination.

Here are five things you can do to help protect yourself and your family and spread awareness about vaccine injuries.

1. Learn the Risks.

Many common vaccinations, including those for the flu, Hepatitis B, MMR, HPV, chickenpox and tetanus, are known to cause dangerous side effects. In some cases, such as with Guillain-Barre Syndrome from flu shots, vaccine injuries can have life-changing consequences. Before getting vaccinated, learn the risks so that you can make an informed decision.

2. Talk to Your Doctor.

If you have questions about a vaccine that has been recommended for you, your spouse or your children, do not be afraid to talk to your doctor about the risks involved. It is ok (and, in fact, should be encouraged) for you to ask questions like: “Is this vaccine known to have dangerous side effects?” or “Have other patients had adverse reactions to this particular vaccine?”

3. Know the Symptoms of Vaccine Injuries.

While some vaccine injuries will be immediately apparent, others can develop gradually over time. When getting a vaccination, make sure you know the signs to watch for so that you can promptly seek medical attention if something goes wrong.

4. Understand Your Legal Rights.

Under United States federal law, victims of vaccine injuries are able to seek compensation without having to deal with all of the hoops and hurdles of ordinary personal injury litigation. The Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) provides a no-fault alternative that also pays your attorney’s fees.

5. Know Where to Get Help.

In order to file a claim under the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, it is strongly recommended that you hire an experienced vaccine injury lawyer. It takes special knowledge to properly file and prosecute a successful claim. It can also be fairly expensive and your lawyer may be able to advance the expenses on your behalf. At the Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, we advance the costs of our clients’ VICP claims.

Take a Stand Against Vaccine Injuries

So, even though Vaccine Injury Awareness Month is over, it is not too late to take a stand against vaccine injuries. If you would like more information about vaccine injury risks or your right to file a claim under the VICP, we encourage you to contact us today.

Contact the Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC

The Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC is a national law firm that focuses exclusively on representing victims of vaccine injuries. To find out if you have a claim under the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, call (202) 800-1711 or submit our online claim form now.