Overview and Current Issues of Federal Vaccine Injury Compensation Programs

This brief from the Kaiser Family Foundation examines the history, rationale, and current policy challenges facing the two primary U.S. federal vaccine injury compensation programs: the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) and the Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program (CICP). Established as alternatives to civil litigation, these programs aim to compensate individuals for vaccine-related injuries while stabilizing the vaccine market and maintaining public confidence. The VICP, created in 1986, addresses routine vaccine injuries, while the CICP, established in 2005 under the PREP Act, covers injuries from medical countermeasures during public health emergencies. Recently, these programs have faced scrutiny, with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. alleging inefficiency and corruption within the VICP and calling for an overhaul. While some lawmakers propose ending or replacing the programs, others advocate for modernization. Critics warn that drastic changes could undermine the U.S. vaccine market and erode public trust in immunization. The report analyzes claim data and discusses the structural differences between the programs, highlighting ongoing debates about their effectiveness and future role in public health infrastructure.