Public health emergencies remain a clear and present danger to the security of the United States. When they occur, as they did with the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government can move forward with specific plans to try save lives. Actions can take the form of vaccines to prevent or treat people suffering from the ill effects of a virus. When the COVID-19 vaccination came out, Heath and Human Services deemed the vaccine a “countermeasure”, which is an important title for a new vaccine.
With any vaccine, side effects will likely occur. While many vaccines are covered under the typical Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, the COVID-19 vaccine is not covered under this program and remains considered a “countermeasure” still today. That puts the COVID-19 vaccine in the “Countermeasures Program”. The Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program (CICP) compensates people for injuries and deaths that arise from administering specific countermeasures, including the COVID-19 vaccine. Though these programs sound similar, they are very different, and it is important to understand the difference if you or a loved one have been injured due to the COVID-19 vaccine.
Differences between CICP and VICP
The CICP has different compensation available than VICP. CICP only provides limited benefits such as:
- Coverage of medical expenses
- Lost employment income
- A small death benefit
The VICP provides more extensive benefits, including payment of actual and future pain and suffering.
One of the primary differences is that the Countermeasures Program does not pay for attorneys to assist victims in that Program. On the other hand, the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program authorizes attorneys to represent victims and will compensate those attorneys for the fees and the expenses associated with the claim. Downing, Allison & Jorgenson National Vaccine Injury Lawyers does not practice in the CICP, and therefore cannot take cases for COVID-19 vaccine-related injuries at this time.
If you are suffering due to a COVID-19 vaccine-related injury, know that Downing, Allison & Jorgenson National Vaccine Injury Lawyers continue to fight to get the COVID vaccination covered in the VICP so that victims can recover benefits for their injuries and be represented by counsel with expertise in vaccine injuries.