FDA continues to encourage the timely inoculation of all children in this country against childhood diseases, and to make sure those vaccines are as safe and effective as possible. In 1986, Congress passed the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act to help ensure vaccine safety and availability, and to compensate people injured by vaccination. The act established the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program to compensate those who suffer certain vaccine-related injuries or death. The act also required health-care providers and manufacturers of specified vaccines to report certain serious adverse reactions they encounter. Serious reactions include death, life- threatening illness, hospitalization, and disability resulting from a vaccine.
Patient identity is kept confidential.
Anyone may file a report. The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program protects doctors and manufacturers from lawsuits while providing compensation for those injured from vaccines. It's designed to be easier and faster than traditional legal remedies for medical injuries. Any death from a vaccine is awarded the highest amount in compensation. Some injuries may be compensated without proof that the vaccine was at fault.