NATIONAL CHILDHOOD VACCINE INJURY ACT (NCVIA)

HR 5546 | Known as Public Law 99-660

An Act to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for the establishment of a national vaccine injury compensation program.

The NCVIA was enacted to provide a no-fault compensation system for children who suffer vaccine-related injuries. The law established the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP), which is administered by the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.

Here are some key provisions of the NCVIA:

Established the VICP: Created a no-fault compensation system for vaccine-related injuries
Set up a trust fund: Established a taxpayer funded trust fund to pay for compensation awards
Defined vaccine-related injuries: Defined what constitutes a vaccine-related injury
Established a claims process: Established a process for filing claims and determining compensation
Provided for attorney fees: Allowed for attorney fees to be paid by the trust fund in certain cases

The NCVIA has been amended several times since its enactment, including the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act Amendments of 2006 (Public Law 109-464).

Key Senators Involved:

Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT): Co-sponsor of the bill and a key advocate for the creation of the VICP
Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA): Co-sponsor of the bill and a key supporter of the VICP
Senator Bob Dole (R-KS): Sponsor of the bill in the Senate and a key proponent of the VICP
Senator Alan Cranston (D-CA): Sponsor of the bill in the Senate and a key supporter of the VICP

Key Provisions:

Section 1: Short title
Section 2: Findings and purposes
Section 3: Definitions
Section 4: Establishment of the VICP
Section 5: Trust fund
Section 6: Claims process
Section 7: Attorney fees

Date of Enactment: November 14, 1986 (Public Law 99-660)