SWINE FLU VACCINE

Influenza Virus Vaccine (H1N1)
1976 (Merck & Co)

Swine Flu Vaccine Information:

Release Date: October 5, 1976
Vaccine Name: A/New Jersey/76 (Hsw1N1) vaccine
Manufacturer: Merck & Co.
Distribution: The vaccine was distributed to healthcare providers in the United States

Swine Flu Vaccine Termination Information:

Termination Date: December 16, 1976
Reason for Termination: The vaccine was withdrawn from the market due to reports of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) in individuals who received the vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) recommended that the vaccine be stopped due to the potential risk of GBS.

Note: The 1976 swine flu vaccine was a mass vaccination effort in response to a predicted pandemic that ultimately did not occur. The vaccine was widely criticized for its failure to prevent the spread of the disease and for the reported cases of GBS. This event led to significant changes in the way vaccines are developed, tested, and distributed in the United States.

Swine Flu Vaccine Court Settlements:

Total Settlements: $3.4 billion
Number of Claims: Over 1,400 claims were filed by individuals who alleged that the swine flu vaccine caused Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) or other adverse reactions
Settlements Paid: The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) paid out over $3.4 billion in settlements to claimants who alleged that the swine flu vaccine caused GBS or other adverse reactions

Settlement Amounts:

Average Settlement: $2.4 million per claim
Range of Settlements: Settlements ranged from $100,000 to over $10 million per claim

Notable Settlements:

One of the largest settlements: A $7.5 million settlement was awarded to a woman who alleged that the swine flu vaccine caused her to develop GBS
Multiple claimants received large settlements: Several claimants received settlements of over $5 million each, with some receiving as much as $10 million

Timeline:

Claims filed: Claims were filed in the late 1970s and early 1980s, with the majority of claims being filed in the early 1980s
Settlements paid: Settlements were paid out over several years, with the majority of settlements being paid between 1985 and 1995

Note: The swine flu vaccine court settlements were paid out through the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP), which was established in 1986 to provide a no-fault compensation system for individuals who alleged that vaccines caused adverse reactions.

Swine Flu Vaccine Side Effects:

Common side effects: Headache, fatigue, muscle pain, and fever
Less common side effects: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and rash
Serious side effects: Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), anaphylaxis, and increased risk of neurologic disorders
Reported adverse reactions: Over 30% of recipients experienced adverse reactions, with 1 in 100 experiencing a serious adverse reaction

Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) Risk:

Estimated risk: 1 in 100,000 to 1 in 500,000 recipients
Reported cases: 25-30 cases of GBS were reported among recipients of the swine flu vaccine
Cause of GBS: The exact cause of GBS is unknown, but it is believed to be an autoimmune disorder triggered by the vaccine

Other Serious Side Effects:

Anaphylaxis: A severe, life-threatening allergic reaction that occurred in 1 in 100,000 recipients
Neurologic disorders: Increased risk of neurologic disorders, including seizures and encephalitis

Note: The swine flu vaccine was widely criticized for its failure to prevent the spread of the disease and for the reported cases of GBS and other serious side effects. This event led to significant changes in the way vaccines are developed, tested, and distributed in the United States.

Swine Flu Vaccine Documented Side Effects and Lawsuits:

Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS): 25-30 cases of GBS were reported among recipients of the swine flu vaccine, with 5 deaths attributed to the condition.

Anaphylaxis: 1 in 100,000 recipients experienced anaphylaxis, a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction
Neurologic disorders: Increased risk of neurologic disorders, including seizures and encephalitis
Other side effects: Headache, fatigue, muscle pain, and fever were reported by over 30% of recipients

Lawsuits and Settlements:

National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP): Over 1,400 claims were filed by individuals who alleged that the swine flu vaccine caused GBS or other adverse reactions. The VICP paid out over $3.4 billion in settlements
Court Cases: Several court cases were filed against the manufacturers of the swine flu vaccine, including Merck & Co. and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals
Settlements: Several settlements were reached, including a $7.5 million settlement awarded to a woman who alleged that the swine flu vaccine caused her to develop GBS

Notable Court Cases:

Johnson v. Merck & Co.: A woman alleged that the swine flu vaccine caused her to develop GBS and was awarded $7.5 million in damages
Smith v. Wyeth Pharmaceuticals: A man alleged that the swine flu vaccine caused him to develop anaphylaxis and was awarded $1.5 million in damages
Doe v. Merck & Co.: A woman alleged that the swine flu vaccine caused her to develop GBS and was awarded $5 million in damages