The article discusses significant issues with the U.S. Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP), specifically related to COVID-19 vaccine injury claims. As of January 1, 2024, the Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program (CICP) has received 12,854 claims for injuries from COVID-19 countermeasures, including 9,600 for vaccine injuries. Of these, only 2,214 have been processed, with a mere 40 claims being eligible for compensation. There is a backlog of about 10,800 claims, and with the current processing rate and staffing levels, it could take about 10 years to clear.
The article highlights the frustration and disappointment of the vaccine-injured community. Testimonies in a congressional hearing were considered generic and lacking in-depth discussion of the system’s failings or potential remedies. The average compensation awarded is significantly lower than that for injuries from routine vaccines under the VICP. The CICP, unlike the VICP, does not offer pain and suffering damages or attorney fees and is described as a payer of last resort.
The article also points out the legal and procedural differences between the CICP and VICP. The CICP, established under the 2005 PREP Act, has a more stringent criterion for awarding compensation and does not provide the same legal protections as the VICP, established in 1986. The CICP covers only unreimbursed medical expenses and lost employment income, and claimants have only one year from the time of injury to file a claim.
React19, a nonprofit supporting individuals with long-term COVID-19 vaccine injuries, expressed their dissatisfaction with the lack of acknowledgement and adequate care for those injured. The article also mentions the significant number of adverse events following COVID-19 vaccinations reported in the VAERS database, highlighting the ongoing concerns and challenges faced by those affected.