Is Compensation Provided for COVID-19 Vaccine Injuries?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently authorized the use of a third vaccine against the SARS CoV-2 virus (COVID-19) that is manufactured by the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson. The addition of this third vaccine, which only requires a single dose, is sure to improve vaccination rates by increasing overall vaccine availability and decreasing storage, logistic, and compliance issues encountered with the two-dose COVID-19 vaccines. According to the CDC, vaccination is an important step to decreasing the spread of the virus and reducing or eliminating the risk of serious COVID-19 infections in those who have been vaccinated.

Unfortunately, at present none of the three COVID-19 vaccines currently available are covered under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). That program provides financial compensation to individuals who file a petition and are found to have been injured by specific vaccines. The exclusion of COVID-19 vaccines from this program is likely in part because COVID-19 is currently classified as a global pandemic and none of the vaccines used to prevent it are recommended for routine administration in children.

That being said, because COVID-19 is currently classified as a pandemic, anyone injured by a COVID-19 vaccine may be able to seek redress through the Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program (CICP). The CICP is an administrative program that does not have provisions for legal representation. Information about the CICP can be found here.