While COVID-19 vaccines have saved millions of lives, rare cases of serious side effects have raised questions about what legal recourse is available to those who experience harm. A recent report from the Congressional Research Service—“Compensation for COVID-19 Vaccine  Injuries” (updated April 16, 2025, by Legislative Attorneys Kevin J. Hickey and Hannah-Alise  Rogers)—offers important insights into how vaccine injury claims are handled in the U.S. 

Two Compensation Programs 

In the U.S., there are two main programs for vaccine-related injury claims: 

• The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP): Covers injuries from most vaccines routinely recommended by the CDC. It offers a no-fault path to compensation, lower legal hurdles, and more transparency. 

• The Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program (CICP): Activated during public health emergencies under the PREP Act, this program currently handles COVID-19 vaccine injury claims. It’s limited to serious injuries or deaths and is often criticized for its lack of transparency and difficult claims process. 

Rise in COVID-19 Vaccine Injury Claims  

Since the COVID-19 public health emergency began, over 13,000 CICP claims have been filed—more than 96% of all claims ever submitted to the program. The majority involve alleged injuries or deaths from COVID-19 vaccines, but very few have resulted in compensation due to the high burden of proof and restrictive standards. 

What Could Change 

The CDC has added COVID-19 vaccines to its routine immunization schedule, setting the stage for these vaccines to be covered under VICP in the future. This would make compensation more accessible and provide stronger legal protections for manufacturers. Congress may soon consider 

reforms, including transitioning COVID-19 vaccine claims to VICP and improving the administration of both programs.

How We Can Help 

Navigating vaccine injury claims can be complex, especially as the laws continue to evolve. If you or a loved one has experienced a serious reaction to a COVID-19 vaccine, Hultquist Law is here to help you understand your options and possibly pursue compensation. 

Contact us to schedule a consultation and learn more.