Vaccine Injuries Covered by the VICP

Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration can qualify when new shoulder pain and limited range of motion begin within 48 hours after a vaccine intended for intramuscular administration in the upper arm and the federal definition is met. Normal injection soreness is different. The record should address prior shoulder problems, the vaccinated arm, onset, examination findings, and treatment. See the SIRVA injury guide and the SIRVA vaccine injury attorney page.

Anaphylaxis is listed after several covered vaccine categories when symptoms begin within four hours and meet the Table definition. A mild rash or local reaction is not enough. Emergency records often show whether two or more organ systems were involved and whether the event was a severe systemic reaction. Review the anaphylaxis injury guide and the anaphylaxis vaccine injury attorney page.

Brachial neuritis is a Table injury only when it follows a tetanus-toxoid-containing vaccine, begins from 2 through 28 days later, and meets the federal clinical definition. A claim after another covered vaccine may still be considered off-Table. The brachial neuritis injury guide explains the condition, while the brachial neuritis vaccine injury attorney page addresses the legal proof.

The Table covers defined encephalopathy or encephalitis after pertussis-containing vaccines within 72 hours and after measles, mumps, or rubella-containing vaccines from 5 through 15 days. The definitions are detailed. Fever, temporary sleepiness, irritability, or a seizure alone does not establish a Table encephalopathy. Read the encephalitis injury guide and the encephalitis vaccine injury attorney page.

Guillain-Barre syndrome, or GBS, is listed after seasonal influenza vaccine when onset is from 3 through 42 days and the Table definition is met. GBS after a different covered vaccine is generally an off-Table claim. Diagnosis, neurologic findings, nerve studies, spinal-fluid testing, infections, and timing may matter. Visit the GBS injury guide and the GBS vaccine injury attorney page.

Intussusception is listed after rotavirus vaccine when the first symptom begins from 1 through 21 days. The Table contains exclusions, including onset with or after the third dose and certain infections, bowel abnormalities, lead points, and underlying conditions. Imaging and operative records can be central. See the intussusception injury guide and the intussusception vaccine injury attorney page.

The Table lists thrombocytopenic purpura after a measles-containing vaccine when onset is from 7 through 30 days. It also requires clinical signs, a platelet count below the stated threshold, normal red and white blood-cell indices, and review of excluded causes. An ITP diagnosis alone does not establish a Table claim. Read the ITP injury guide and the ITP vaccine injury attorney page.

Vasovagal syncope is listed after specified injected vaccine categories when it occurs within one hour and satisfies the Table definition. Fainting often resolves quickly, so the separate severity requirement remains important. A serious injury from a fall may change the analysis. Review the vasovagal syncope injury guide and the vasovagal syncope vaccine injury attorney page.

An injury may be compensable even when it is not named on the Table, is not paired with the vaccine received, begins outside the listed window, or does not meet the Table definition. In an off-Table claim, the petitioner generally must prove a sound medical theory, a logical cause-and-effect sequence in the individual case, and a medically appropriate timing relationship. Evidence of another cause must also be addressed.

The following conditions are not blanket promises of coverage. Each requires an individual review of the vaccine, diagnosis, timing, prior health, competing causes, literature, and medical opinion.

ADEM is not a generally listed Table injury. A possible claim depends on reliable diagnostic evidence and proof connecting the condition to a covered vaccine while addressing infections and other causes of central nervous system inflammation. Start with the ADEM injury guide and the ADEM vaccine injury attorney page.

The Table does not create one broad category for autoimmune disease. A specific autoimmune diagnosis may support an off-Table claim when the evidence shows causation or significant aggravation and rules out better explanations. Read the autoimmune disorders injury guide and the autoimmune vaccine injury attorney page.

Bell's palsy is not generally listed as a Table injury. A claim must connect the facial nerve paralysis to a covered vaccine and address infections, structural problems, and other possible causes. Review the Bell's palsy injury guide and the Bell's palsy vaccine injury attorney page.

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy is generally evaluated off-Table. The record should distinguish CIDP from GBS and document the course of weakness, sensory symptoms, reflex changes, testing, treatment response, and alternative causes. See the CIDP injury guide and the CIDP vaccine injury attorney page.

Complex regional pain syndrome is not generally listed on the Table. A viable theory must be tied to the facts of the vaccination or injection injury and supported by the medical record. Other trauma, nerve disorders, and the diagnostic basis must be examined. Read the CRPS injury guide and the CRPS vaccine injury attorney page.

Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease is not generally a Table injury. An evaluation may require antibody testing, MRI findings, the clinical course, onset timing, expert review, and careful consideration of infections or other triggers. Visit the MOGAD injury guide and the MOGAD vaccine injury attorney page.

Transverse myelitis and neuromyelitis optica are not generally listed Table injuries. Off-Table proof may include MRI findings, neurologic examination, spinal-fluid and antibody testing, the timing of onset, and evaluation of other causes. Review the transverse myelitis and NMO injury guide and the transverse myelitis vaccine injury attorney page.

Ulnar neuropathy is not generally listed on the Table. The legal and medical review should identify the injured nerve, symptom location, examination findings, EMG or nerve-conduction results, and evidence separating the condition from elbow compression, cervical radiculopathy, diabetes, or another cause. See the ulnar neuropathy injury guide and the ulnar neuropathy vaccine injury attorney page.