If your child has had an adverse reaction to the flu shot or any other vaccination, there are a few steps you will want to take to ensure your child’s wellbeing and to make sure your family has the financial resources it needs to manage the costs of your child’s illness or injury. Here, national vaccine lawyer Leah V. Durant explains what parents need to know:

1. Seek Medical Attention for Your Child Promptly

All vaccines have potential side effects; and, for many vaccines, the risk of side effects is particularly high among children. However, in some cases, what appear to be side effects can actually be symptoms of a potentially-serious vaccine-related illness or injury. As a result, if you have any concerns about your child’s health following a flu shot or other immunization, the first and most important thing you should do is take your child to a doctor as soon as possible.

2. Keep All Pertinent Records

When dealing with a vaccine-related medical condition, it is important to keep all pertinent records. This includes records from your child’s vaccination as well as records related to his or her subsequent care.

3. Make Sure You Understand Your Child’s Diagnosis and Treatment Needs

When you take your child to see a doctor, make sure you clearly understand your child’s diagnosis and his or her medical treatment needs. Follow through on all treatment recommendations, and continue to keep track of your child’s medical records as well as your family’s medical expenses.

4. Ask Your Doctor What Caused Your Child’s Condition

When talking to your child’s doctor, you should also seek to learn what caused your child’s condition. This will be important for you to know. If your child had an allergic reaction or other adverse reaction to the vaccine itself, then you will need to consider alternative options for any future scheduled doses of the vaccine. If your child was diagnosed with a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA), then you will most likely want to go somewhere else for your child’s future vaccinations.

5. Learn about Your Family’s Legal Rights

For many families, an important part of the recovery process involves seeking financial compensation for the costs of their child’s vaccine-related illness or injury. These costs can be substantial, particularly when long-term care and treatment are required.

Under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP), families can seek financial compensation for their children’s medical conditions without filing lawsuits against the pharmaceutical companies or their health care providers. The VICP has billions of dollars in federal funding, and claims are filed against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). For more information about filing a VICP claim, you can read:

Schedule a Free Initial Consultation with Vaccine Lawyer Leah V. Durant

If you would like more information about filing a claim under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP), we encourage you to get in touch. To schedule a free initial consultation with vaccine lawyer Leah V. Durant, please call 202-775-9200 or request an appointment online today.