The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced in a press release on October 8, 2026, several new initiatives focused on improving vaccine injury research, reporting, and patient care. The announcement includes four major developments:

1. New NIH Vaccine Injury Clinic

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) opened a new clinic on October 5, 2026, at its Bethesda, Maryland campus. The clinic will evaluate patients who report health problems following vaccination while also conducting research into potential vaccine-related injuries.

2. Reimbursement for Physicians for VAERS Reporting

VAERS is a federal surveillance system operated by the CDC and FDA that collects reports of health problems occurring after vaccination. The reports can help identify potential safety signals requiring further investigation. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed reimbursing physicians for the time spent reporting suspected vaccine-related injuries to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS).

3. Electronic Health Records Requirement

HHS also announced plans for federal health information technology standards to require electronic health records to capture vaccine-related adverse events. The goal is to improve documentation and allow relevant information to follow patients throughout the healthcare system.

4. VAERS Modernization

On September 28, 2026, the CDC announced a new contract to modernize VAERS, including accessibility on mobile devices. Earlier this year, the CDC also added VAERS QR codes to Vaccine Information Statements.

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Hultquist Law, P.C. continues to monitor developments involving the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP), including potential changes regarding COVID-19 vaccines. If you believe you have suffered a vaccine injury, no matter where you are located in the United States, please do not hesitate to contact Hultquist Law, P.C.