The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, commonly known as 'vaccine court,' is a federal program that provides compensation to individuals who claim vaccine-related injuries and is designed to compensate the injured rather than to adjudicate overall vaccine safety.
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descriptive
Describes the purpose and nature of the federal compensation program for vaccine injuries.
The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program was established in the late 1980s after lawsuits related to the older DTP vaccine led several manufacturers to leave the market and contributed to vaccine shortages, prompting Congress to enact measures that partially shielded vaccine manufacturers from liability to help ensure continued vaccine production.
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historical
Explains the legislative and market context that led to creation of the compensation program.
Approximately 12,000 individuals have received payments through the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program since its creation in the late 1980s, and nearly $5 billion has been paid out through the program.
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statistical
Aggregate compensation program outcomes reported since the program's inception.