Total VICP Payments Surpassed $4 Billion in Early 2019

The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) is a federal government program that provides a source of financial recovery for individuals who have been diagnosed with vaccine-related injuries and illnesses. While all vaccine-related injuries and illnesses are eligible for compensation under the VICP, most cases involve what are known as “on-table” injuries – medical conditions that have been shown to have a strong link to certain types of vaccinations. This includes medical conditions linked to the FDA-approved vaccines for:

• Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTaP, DTP, DT, Td and TT)
• Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Human papillomavirus (HPV)
• Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
• Meningococcal disease
• Pneumococcal disease
• Polio
• Rotavirus
• Seasonal influenza (the flu)
• Varicella (chickenpox)

In January 2019, the VICP surpassed $4 billion in total payments. This includes more than $3.75 billion paid to vaccine recipients. Since the VICP pays vaccine recipients’ legal fees separately from their awards of financial compensation, the remainder represents payments made to attorneys on behalf of VICP claimants.

Payments to VICP Claimants Averaged More than $200 Million from 2010 through 2018

Over the past nine years, the National Vaccine Compensation Program has paid an average of more than $200 million per year to successful claimants. We saw the largest total award amount in 2013, when the VICP paid out more than $254 million to 375 vaccine recipients. Since then, the number of successful claims has increased significantly (including an all-time high of 706 successful claims in 2017), though numbers were down slightly in 2018 (with 522 claimants receiving just under $200 million in total compensation).

Trends in VICP Vaccine Injury Awards

Since the VICP’s establishment in 1988, several trends have emerged. For example, of the 6,358 claims compensated through early 2019, approximately half involved injuries and illnesses related to the vaccines for influenza (the flu) and diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP). More than half of all flu shot-related claims have been successful (2,789 out of 4,816), while the filing and success rates for claims associated with many other vaccines are significantly lower. For example, of the 268 claims filed in connection with the polio inactivated virus (IPV) vaccine, just eight have resulted in payment of financial compensation.

Another notable trend is that the number of successful VICP claims has increased significantly over the past three decades, with some occasional ups and downs. In 1989, just six claimants received payment under the VICP. Over the past five years, an average of 558 vaccine recipients have been awarded compensation each year. This increase is likely attributable to a number of different factors, including increasing awareness of VICP and the addition of medical conditions such as shoulder injuries related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) and Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) as “on-table” injuries.

Are You Entitled to Financial Compensation for a Vaccine Injury or Illness?

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a vaccine-related injury or illness, you may be entitled to financial compensation under the VICP. To find out in a free and confidential consultation with 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.