by Theresa Wrangham, NVIC Executive Director
In recent years, information about compensated vaccine injury claims published in the VICP Data and Statistics Report has changed – but not for the better. This report prepared by DHHS officials continues to provide limited insight into vaccine injury and death awards, despite the fact that federal law states the public has a right to additional information,1 much of which is presented in bits and pieces during ACCV meetings.
Under the 1986 law, the public is entitled to the following information about VICP vaccine injury and death petitions:
- the number of petitions filed with the VICP and their disposition, the dates of when vaccine-related injuries and deaths occurred;
- the types and amounts of awards; and,
- the length of time for the disposition of petitions;
While DHHS gives some of this information to the ACCV on a quarterly basis, the information is not as meaningful as it could be because of the way it is presented in ACCV meetings and on the VICP’s website. There is no ability for the public, or the ACCV for that matter, to connect the dots between vaccine injuries compensated by vaccine and condition over time, or to determine the reasons and any associated trends on why petitions are dismissed and claimants are denied compensation…