Who Is At Risk for Vaccine-Related Complications?

Although the CDC’s recommended vaccines are considered generally safe for most people, some individuals are at greater risk than others for experiencing vaccine-related complications. Understanding your risk level (or your child’s risk level) is important so that you can make informed decisions about whether—and when—to get vaccinated. While the risks of getting vaccinated can outweigh the benefits for some people, it is also important not to avoid immunization based on misguided assumptions. Here is some important information from the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP): Continue reading

The CDC is Still Encouraging Vaccination for the 2021-2022 Flu Season

While many people think of Spring as the end of flu season, the United States flu season doesn’t actually end until May. Additionally, even once flu season is over, getting the flu remains a possibility—and it can potentially be dangerous for individuals in high-risk populations. As a result, as the end of the 2021-2022 flu season nears, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are still encouraging vaccination against influenza. Here is some important information for individuals who have questions about influenza vaccination or concerns about getting a flu vaccine injury. Continue reading

What Injury Risks are Associated with the Rotavirus Vaccine?

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend the rotavirus vaccine for infants beginning at two months of age—with limited exceptions. While the approved rotavirus vaccines (RotaTeq and Rotarix) are generally considered safe, vaccine injuries still occur in a small percentage of cases. Learn what parents need to know about these risks from national vaccine injury attorney Leah V. Durant.

Mild Risks Associated with the Rotavirus Vaccine

Like all vaccines, the rotavirus vaccine carries a risk for certain side effects. The CDC classifies these side effects as “mild,” and they generally are not classified as vaccine injuries on their own. However, these side effects can also be symptoms of the vaccine injuries discussed below; and, as a result, parents whose children experience these side effects should monitor their children closely and seek medical attention promptly if necessary: Continue reading

Seeking Compensation for a Loved One’s Death from a Vaccine-Related Injury or Illness

Each year, an extremely small percentage of vaccine recipients in the United States suffer fatal complications. Anaphylaxis and Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) are among the most common causes of vaccine-related deaths in the U.S., though various other complications can have fatal effects as well. Regardless of the cause, for families that are coping with the loss of a loved one following a vaccination, recovering financial compensation typically involves hiring a vaccine lawyer to file a claim under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). Continue reading

Hepatitis B Vaccine Injury Claims: What You Need to Know

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend vaccination against hepatitis B for children beginning at birth and for adults who have certain risk factors. Children should receive three doses of the hepatitis B vaccine before reaching nineteen months, and adults who need the vaccine should receive either two or three doses depending on the specific vaccine administered. Like all vaccines, the CDC considers hepatitis B vaccines to be safe for most people. But, some parents and vaccine recipients will need to hire a vaccine injury lawyer to help them recover just compensation. Continue reading

Tetanus Vaccine Injury Claims Under the VICP

Tetanus is among the many diseases for which the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend routine vaccination. Like all CDC-recommended vaccines, the tetanus vaccines (including DTaP, DTP, DT, Td and TT) are generally considered safe, but they present risks for certain injuries and illnesses in a very small percentage of cases. In this article, vaccine lawyer Leah Durant explains the process of seeking compensation for tetanus vaccine injuries under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). Continue reading

Didn’t Get Vaccinated During the 2020-2021 Flu Season? The CDC Still Recommends Getting a Flu Shot

As flu season draws to a close, many people are realizing that they never got around to getting their annual flu shot. With everything going at the end of 2020 and the start of 2021, this is understandable. Despite low vaccination rates, the 2020-2021 flu season was one of the least-impactful on record (due in large part to social distancing and mask-wearing to prevent the spread of COVID-19), and the low number of flu-related deaths is being viewed as one of the few silver linings of the pandemic. Continue reading

Is It True that I Shouldn’t Get a Flu Shot if I have an Egg Allergy?

In prior years, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have advised that individuals who have egg allergies should consult with their physicians prior to getting the flu shot. This is because certain formulations of the flu shot are manufactured with egg proteins, and exposure to these proteins  has the potential to cause a hypersensitivity reaction among individuals with egg allergies.

In 2018, however, the CDC altered its recommendations regarding the flu shot and individuals who have minor egg allergies. Now, according to the CDC: Continue reading

CDC Publishes Updated Guide for Parents: “Your Child’s First Vaccines”

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently published an updated version of its guide for parents titled, Your Child’s First Vaccines: What You Need to Know. In addition to being posted on the CDC’s website, the guide is also available in .PDF format, and the CDC encourages doctors to provide parents with a copy of the guide when they bring their children in for their first immunizations. Continue reading

When is Pain More than Just a Side Effect of a Vaccination?

“Any vaccine can cause side effects.” While all vaccines recommended for use in the U.S. are considered safe for the vast majority of the population (with exceptions for individuals with certain medical conditions), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) wants vaccine recipients to be aware that certain side effects are possible.

However, the CDC also warns that, “[a]s with any medicine, there is a very remote chance of a vaccine causing a severe allergic reaction, other serious injury, or death.” Over the past five years, an average of roughly 1,000 people have filed petitions under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). So, while pain may simply be a side effect of a vaccination, it could also be a sign of a potentially-serious injury, and vaccine recipients should have an understanding of when they may need medical attention and when they may be entitled to compensation under the VICP. Continue reading