National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act

National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act (NCVIA) is a federal law enacted by the United States Congress in 1986. The Act's primary goal is to ensure an adequate supply of vaccines, stabilize vaccine costs, and establish and maintain an accessible and efficient forum for individuals found to be injured by certain vaccines.

Background[edit | edit source]

The National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act was a response to a perceived crisis in vaccine supply in the United States in the early 1980s. Several factors contributed to this crisis, including increased litigation against vaccine manufacturers and providers. The Act was designed to stabilize the vaccine market by reducing the potential financial liability of vaccine manufacturers and providers.

Provisions[edit | edit source]

The Act has several key provisions. It established the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP), a no-fault compensation program for individuals who are injured by vaccines. The VICP is funded by an excise tax on each dose of vaccine sold.

The Act also created the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), a national system for monitoring the safety of vaccines. VAERS collects and analyzes data on adverse events that occur after the administration of vaccines.

In addition, the Act requires health care providers to provide Vaccine Information Statements (VISs) to patients (or their parents or guardians) before administering each dose of certain vaccines. VISs provide information about the benefits and risks of vaccines.

Impact[edit | edit source]

The National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act has had a significant impact on the vaccine landscape in the United States. It has helped to ensure a stable supply of vaccines and has provided compensation to individuals who have been injured by vaccines. However, the Act has also been criticized for various reasons, including concerns about the fairness and efficiency of the VICP.