Home > Encyclopedia of Children's Health > Childhood Vaccine Injury Act

Definition

The Childhood Vaccine Injury Act established a federal program for compensating victims of vaccine-related injuries or death.

Purpose

During the early 1980s childhood immunization programs fell into chaos. Vaccine manufacturers and healthcare providers were overwhelmed with liability lawsuits from parents who believed that their children had been harmed by the DTP vaccine, which protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough). Companies that developed and produced vaccines halted or threatened to halt production and serious vaccine shortages developed. Childhood immunization rates fell.

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