Vaccine Injury Compensation Programs - The US Court of Federal Claims operates a vaccine court, compensating individuals injured by vaccines for 35 years [2] - The program aims to ensure drug companies continue manufacturing vaccines while compensating those rarely injured [3] - The COVID vaccines are not included in the vaccine injury table and fall under the countermeasures program [4][5] - The countermeasures program has stricter requirements, no right to counsel or appeal, limited damages, and a one-year statute of limitations [6] - Approximately 14,000 claims related to COVID vaccinations have been filed under the countermeasures program, with less than 1% compensated and about 5,000 denied [6][7] Potential Changes and Impacts - Many believe the COVID vaccine should be included in the vaccine court program [7] - Inclusion requires the vaccine to be a recommended childhood vaccine, Congress to pass an excise tax, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to add COVID to the vaccine injury table [8] - The Secretary of Health and Human Services would follow the CDC's recommendations regarding transferring COVID vaccines to the vaccine court program [9] - Transferring unresolved COVID cases could overwhelm the vaccine court without additional special masters [9][10] Concerns and Benefits - Concerns exist that including COVID vaccines in the program could increase vaccine skepticism [11] - The program aims to compensate those with adverse reactions without lengthy litigation, ensuring continued vaccine availability [12] - Vaccines have significantly reduced deaths from preventable illnesses [13]