VICP changes must protect vaccine access, support patients and families

As Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kennedy weighs further changes to U.S. vaccine policy, now turning his attention to the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, IDSA underscores a key fact that should be top of mind: Vaccines are responsible for some of the greatest gains in protecting people of all ages and significantly increasing human life expectancy, therefore access to vaccines must be strongly protected.  

Serious vaccine injuries are very rare, and when they do occur, patients and families deserve the utmost care and compassion. It is important that the VICP works as Congress intended to compensate injured individuals whose condition was proven to be caused by receiving a vaccine. IDSA agrees that there are opportunities to improve the way the VICP works, and changes should be made in a transparent way, with involvement from Congress, professional societies that have vaccine expertise and patient advocacy organizations.  

Policy changes should absolutely follow the best available scientific evidence and not cause harm. Specifically, it is important that the VICP be funded appropriately to compensate injured individuals without putting an infeasible burden on vaccine manufacturers that could jeopardize severely the availability of safe and effective vaccines for the public.  

— Tina Tan, MD, FIDSA, FPIDS, FAAP — President, IDSA 

About IDSA 

The Infectious Diseases Society of America is a global community of 13,000 clinicians, scientists and public health experts working together to solve humanity’s smallest and greatest challenges, from tiny microbes to global outbreaks. Rooted in science, committed to health equity and driven by curiosity, our compassionate and knowledgeable members safeguard the health of individuals, our communities and the world by advancing the treatment and prevention of infectious diseases. Visit idsociety.org to learn more.