But they neglect to mention that the number of deaths caused by measles was declining long before the vaccine was mandated. Given this lack of historical information, parents and state legislators rarely question whether or not a new vaccine should be mandatory. Instead, they routinely endorse federal recommendations based on the scientific evidence that shows a vaccine is associated with decreased childhood mortality. It is not until a child suffers a serious side-effect or death before most parents examine historical data and begin questioning government vaccine policies. Although states have police power to mandate new vaccines, the federal government is in charge of compensating children and their families for any serious vaccine-related injuries or death.
Scientists agree that all medical products, including vaccines, have risks.
For many years, vaccine risks went unnoticed and unreported. Consequently, a national grassroots movement was established and parents began questioning the benefits and risks of vaccines. Parents of injured children also began suing vaccine manufacturers. Not surprisingly, vaccine manufacturers began threatening to stop producing vaccines because their liability insurance premiums skyrocketed. The compensation program serves as a no-fault alternative to the tort system for resolving claims resulting from adverse reactions to mandatory childhood vaccines, whether administered in the private or public sector.