Trump’s controversial pick
Vaccines have a risk — that’s why there’s a fund
President Trump recently selected Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent vaccine skeptic who believes that shots may cause autism, to chair a panel on the safety of vaccines.
The appointment has provoked howls of outrage from public health officials, who correctly point out that medical experts have repeatedly debunked any link between vaccines and autism. Unfortunately, in their zeal to defend the benefits of vaccines, these advocates have pushed a narrative that vaccines are without risk.
That’s equally false. Every year, thousands of Americans receive vaccinations and then suffer a host of well-recognized reactions, ranging from chronic pain to paralysis. They often face staggering medical bills and lose the ability to work.
A 30-year-old federal program — meant to encourage vaccinations — compensates these patients for their medical costs and suffering. This program represents the sort of sensible, middle-ground policies that the Trump administration would be wise to adopt. Kennedy and his peers ought to recognize the immense public health benefits of vaccines, while doing everything they can to protect the relative few who are unlucky enough to be injured.
Unlucky patients who have terrible reactions to vaccines can seek compensation for their lost wages, medical bills and suffering through the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.
Established in 1986, the vaccine program is one of the rare federal initiatives that promotes economic growth and protects consumers. It does so by granting vaccine makers and doctors immunity from lawsuits. That immunity gives drug companies full confidence to fund continued research and development of new vaccines, and gives doctors and nurses full confidence to administer them.
For the vast majority of patients, these vaccines ward off disease with few to no side effects. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that vaccines will prevent more than 21 million hospitalizations and save more than 730,000 lives among those born between 1994 and 2013. That will save the health care system tens of billions of dollars.
One of the most common vaccines, the flu shot, can trigger Guillain-Barré syndrome. Each year, as many as 6,000 Americans contract the disease, which causes an individual’s immune system to attack its own nerve cells. Persons diagnosed with the syndrome may experience weakness and even paralysis. While most recover, some may experience permanent nerve damage, respiratory failure, or even death.
One Pennsylvania woman, who waited two weeks after her flu shot before she sought medical help for the burning, tingling and numbness in her arms and legs, was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome and ataxia, a nervous system disorder. She can no longer walk long distance and suffers from chronic pain.
Instead of seeking compensation from drugmakers, vaccine-injured patients can file a claim with the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. The program has awarded 5,269 victims more than $3.5 billion to date out of 17, 935 petitions filed.
Unlike traditional tort litigation, this program is not a burden on taxpayers — the program is fully funded by a small surcharge on every vaccine.
Everyone wins from this arrangement.
Vaccines are hugely beneficial, but as with any medication or treatment, adverse reactions can occur. Let’s hope the new administration recognizes this and works to promote vaccinations while protecting those who suffer rare side effects.
Leah Durant Handles vaccine injury claims in all 50 states from the law offices of Leah V. Durant in Washington, D.C.