If you have been doing research online about childhood vaccination schedules or the risks associated with childhood vaccinations, you may have come across references to the Advisory Commission on Childhood Vaccines (ACCV). The ACCV is a chartered organization comprised of physicians, attorneys and other professionals who work in the vaccine field and who collectively provide recommendations to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) with regard to the operation of the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP).

Recent ACCV Recommendations Regarding the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP)

Over the past several years, the ACCV has made a number of notable recommendations to DHHS regarding the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. These recommendations have included:

  • Increasing the staffing and funding of the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program in order to process claims more efficiently;
  • Extending the statute of limitations for vaccine injury claims under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program;
  • Increasing the benefit caps under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program; and,
  • Expanding National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program coverage to include vaccines recommended for routine administration to pregnant women as well as in-utero injuries.

While DHHS is not obligated to accept the ACCV’s recommendations, the recommendations themselves (as well as DHHS’s initial responses) suggest a clear initiative to improve access to compensation for individuals diagnosed with vaccine-related injuries and illnesses. As a result, the ACCV serves an important role – along with DHHS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and various other organizations – in helping to promote awareness of the risk of vaccine-related injuries and illnesses.

What is the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP)?

The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) is a federal benefit program that pays compensation to individuals who have been diagnosed with vaccine-related injuries and illnesses. While all CDC and ACIP-recommended vaccines are considered to be relatively safe, there are also a number of recognized risks associated with different types of vaccinations. Recognizing that it is in the public interest for most people to get vaccinated against diseases like measles, chickenpox and influenza (subject to any medical advice to the contrary), the VICP exists in order to provide a safety net for those individuals who get injured or fall ill as a result of choosing to get vaccinated.

The VICP provides compensation for all types of vaccine-related injuries and illnesses, although seeking compensation for some medical conditions is more straightforward than it is for others. In addition to paying compensation for vaccine recipients’ medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, it also separately pays their legal fees. As a result, if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), a shoulder injury, or any other vaccine-related medical condition, you may be entitled to legal representation for your VICP claim at little or no out-of-pocket cost to you.

Learn More about the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP)

If you would like more information about the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP), we encourage you to get in touch. We are a national law firm focused exclusively on helping clients recover compensation for vaccine-related injuries and illnesses. To speak with an experienced vaccine injury lawyer about your case in confidence, call us at (202) 775-9200, or tell us how to reach you online and we will be in touch with you shortly.