Each year, the U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) publishes annual statistics on claims filed under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). The VICP is a federal program that pays financial compensation to eligible claimants who are coping with the effects of vaccine-related injuries and illnesses. Here, vaccine injury lawyer Leah V. Durant highlights some of the key figures from the HRSA’s 2022 year-end data for vaccine injury claims under the VICP: Continue reading
Tag Archives: Guillain Barre Syndrome
How Is a Flu Vaccine Injury Diagnosed?
Injuries from the flu shot are the most common type of vaccine-related injury. Of course, this is due in large part to the fact that the flu shot is the most common vaccine administered in the United States. Each year, around half of the U.S. population gets a flu shot, and a small percentage of flu shot recipients experience a flu vaccine injury. Continue reading
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
2021 Year In Review: What We Learned about Vaccine Injuries and VICP Claims
It’s hard to believe that 2021 is already coming to a close. While the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccines dominated most of the vaccine-related headlines during the year, there were some notable stories unrelated to the pandemic as well. Here is a look back at some of the topics we covered and the information we shared throughout the year: 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
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
What are the Symptoms of Flu Shot Injuries?
It’s flu season; and, while the COVID-19 vaccine has taken center stage, it is important not to forget that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that most people get a flu shot each year. When getting immunized against influenza, it is important to be aware of the symptoms of flu shot injuries, as vaccine injury lawyer Leah V. Durant explains below: Continue reading
Common Misconceptions about Vaccine Illnesses and Injuries
For individuals who have been diagnosed with vaccine-related illnesses and injuries, finding reliable information can be a challenge. Can a vaccine really make you sick? If so, what are the potential long-term complications? Are you entitled to financial compensation? If so, how do you collect the compensation you deserve? Here, vaccine lawyer Leah V. Durant explains what you need to know: Continue reading
NIAID Director: 2019-2020 Flu Shot “Not a Very Good Match” for Most-Common Strain
As the 2019-2020 flu season rolls on, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has issued a warning that this year’s flu vaccine has shown limited effectiveness in fighting one of the most-common strains of the flu virus. According to CNN, NIAID director Dr. Anthony Fauci stated that this year’s flu shot, “[is] not a very good match for B/Victoria,” which has become one of the most-prevalent strains this flu season. CNN also reports that, “[c]hildren are particularly susceptible to influenza B/Victoria.” Continue reading