Vaccine Types

The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, commonly called the VICP, provides a process through which eligible individuals may seek compensation for injuries associated with certain covered vaccines. The Vaccine Injury Table identifies specific vaccines, recognized injuries, and time periods in which symptoms must generally begin for causation to be presumed.

An injury does not always need to appear on the Vaccine Injury Table for a claim to be considered. Claims may also be filed for other conditions when medical records, expert opinions, and supporting evidence can establish that a covered vaccine caused or significantly aggravated the injury.

• MMR Vaccine
• DTaP and TDaP Vaccine
• Flu Vaccine
• Rotavirus Vaccine
• Hepatitis B Vaccine
• Pneumonia (Pneumococcal) Vaccine
• Other Vaccines Covered on The VICP’s Vaccine Injury Table

The MMR vaccine is most commonly administered during childhood. Serious injuries can include anaphylaxis, encephalitis or encephalopathy, thrombocytopenic purpura, chronic arthritis, and certain vaccine-strain infections in people with weakened immune systems. The combined MMR vaccine was licensed in the United States in 1971, bringing measles, mumps, and rubella vaccination together in a single shot after separate vaccines for the three diseases were developed during the 1960s.

DTaP is generally given to infants and young children, while Tdap is commonly administered to adolescents, adults, and pregnant women. Potential serious injuries can include SIRVA, brachial neuritis, anaphylaxis, fainting, and encephalopathy or encephalitis. DTaP was developed as an alternative to the older DTP vaccine, which used a whole-cell pertussis component. Acellular pertussis vaccines gradually replaced DTP during the 1990s, with DTaP added to the full childhood series beginning in 1997 and Tdap introduced for adolescents and adults in 2005.

The flu shot is commonly administered each year to children and adults. Potential serious injuries can include SIRVA, Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), anaphylaxis, and other conditions associated with influenza vaccination. The modern flu vaccine has roots in research conducted during World War II, when scientists including Thomas Francis Jr. and Jonas Salk helped develop an early inactivated influenza vaccine with support from the U.S. Army. The first flu vaccines were subsequently licensed for civilian use in the United States in the 1940s.

The rotavirus vaccine is given orally to infants during the first months of life. Potential serious injuries associated with vaccination can include intussusception, a form of intestinal blockage, as well as severe allergic reactions. The first rotavirus vaccine was licensed in the United States in 1998 but was withdrawn the following year after an increased risk of intussusception was identified. Newer rotavirus vaccines were later developed and introduced in the United States beginning in 2006.

The hepatitis B vaccine is commonly administered beginning in infancy, although adolescents and adults may also receive it. Potential serious injuries can include anaphylaxis, SIRVA, injuries related to vasovagal syncope, and other neurological, inflammatory, or immune-mediated conditions. The first hepatitis B vaccine licensed in the United States was a plasma-derived vaccine introduced in 1981. Recombinant hepatitis B vaccines were introduced beginning in 1986 and eventually replaced the earlier plasma-derived vaccines.

Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, or PCV vaccines, are commonly administered to infants and young children, as well as adults based on age and other factors. Potential serious injuries can include SIRVA, injuries related to vasovagal syncope, and other serious reactions that may be evaluated as off-table vaccine injury claims. The first pneumococcal vaccine was licensed in the United States in 1977, while the first pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, PCV7, was licensed in 2000. PCV13 followed in 2010, with additional conjugate formulations developed in later years.

It is important to obtain quality legal representation for your vaccine injury case. Siri & Glimstad, LLP’s nationally recognized vaccine injury group is composed of an entire department of dedicated professionals ready to represent people who have been injured by common vaccinations, including influenza (“flu”), tetanus (“Tdap”), hepatitis B (“Hep B”), and pneumococcal vaccines, among others. Our curated team of attorneys and support staff possess unique and highly specialized skills that enable us to provide aggressive and competent representation for our clients.

We believe that your relationship with your attorney is critical to your legal experience. If you are reading this, chances are you or someone you love may be enduring one of the most physically and emotionally difficult times in their life. Respect and compassion are fundamental to our practice. We understand that clear and honest communication is paramount to our client’s experience. You will receive highly personalized, transparent representation with direct access to an attorney during all stages of your case. Every single one of our clients is a priority.

If you believe that you or a loved one has suffered from a vaccine injury, then don’t wait to contact us. The court imposes strict deadlines that must be met to preserve your vaccine injury claim. Contact Siri & Glimstad today for a free consultation with one of our vaccine injury attorneys.