New York Times Says Vaccines Have Saved Thousands of Lives

The New York Times (NYT) reported that the vast majority of vaccines have been safe for many years. 

This NYT analysis by Pam Belluck and Reed Abelson says ‘vaccines have saved hundreds of thousands of American lives in recent years.’   

Additionally, a government program established 30 years ago as a no-fault alternative to the traditional tort system, provides financial compensation for those injured by vaccines. 

Since 1988, the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) has compensated 6,597 people for claims related to vaccine harm. 

This data means for every 1 million doses of vaccine distributed, approximately 1 individual was found injured and compensated. 

The total compensation paid over the life of the VICP is approximately $4.1 billion. 

Compensated claims for fatal injuries have been even rarer, 520 over the 30-year period, the Times reported. Nearly half of those injuries were related to a pertussis vaccine that is no longer approved for use. 

During FY 2019, there were 276 awards granted, and $131,485,775 paid out from the VICP, as of April 1, 2019. This compares with FY 2018 when 522 cases were settled, and $226,628,298 paid out of the VICP fund. 

Attorney Randy Knutson explained in a press release ‘that when USA citizens are injured by a vaccine, they can apply to the U.S. Vaccine Court which reviews cases and provides compensation when appropriate.’ 

"While injuries from vaccines are rare when they do occur the Vaccine Court can step in and compensate folks for their injuries, and their future care.” 

“When the check arrives for the settlement, the client gets the entire amount, its tax-free, and the attorney receives no part of the settlement,” said Knutson. 

Moreover, recent claims in the VICP database don't appear to stem from vaccines themselves, but from shoulder injuries incurred while being vaccinated. 

During October 2018, the University of Waterloo published a study that highlights the need for healthcare professionals, including pharmacists, to take certain precautions to minimize the risk of vaccination patients suffering a 'Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration'. 

Dr. Kelly Grindrod, a professor in the School of Pharmacy at Waterloo, said that there are strategies we can adopt to decrease the likelihood of experiencing SIRVA, such as: 

• When going for your flu shot, wear a sleeveless shirt or a shirt where the sleeves can easily be rolled up
• Don't pull the neck of your shirt down as this can lead to a vaccine being injected into the shoulder instead of the arm
• Putting your hand on your hip with your elbow out and away from the body will also help relax the deltoid muscle where the injection is going

In addition, the CDC has launched an educational campaign on the correct way to administer vaccine shots.