|
What are the primary
problems associated with vaccines?
What is autism?
What does DPT mean?
What is diphtheria?
What is pertussis?
What is tetanus?
What is being done to
help those affected by vaccine injury?
How do I apply for
compensation from vaccine injury?
Is there a time limit
for filing vaccine injury claims?
What are the
primary problems associated with vaccines?
-
Brain Damage from DPT vaccines:
The mercury in Thimerosal may have caused permanent
brain damage in some children who were given DPT vaccines containing
this preservative
-
Autism:
Thimerosal has also been implicated as a possible
reason for the increase in the numbers of autistic children.
-
Multiple
Sclerosis:
Research
is being conducted for the possible connection between the Hepatitis B
vaccine and MS.
-
More
complications:
Vaccines have
been linked to arthritis, stroke, and even death.
What is autism?
Autism refers to a collection of neurologically-based developmental
disorders where people (mainly children) have social interaction and
communication impairment, along with a tendency to display repetitive
behaviors or interests. The severity of autism varies from little speech
and poor daily living skills to functioning satisfactorily in most
situations. Autism is typically diagnosed during the toddler or
preschool years, although some children are diagnosed at older ages.
A newer and more
common form of the disease is known as regressive autism, in which
children appear to be developing normally, but then suddenly regress and
lose functions they had previously, such as early speech. Parental
anecdotes and clinical reports suggest it happened during periods of
high vaccine exposure.
What does DPT mean?
DPT means that the vaccine produces antibodies for diphtheria, pertussis
(or whooping cough), and tetanus.
What is diphtheria?
Diphtheria is an extremely serious bacterial disease that causes the
inability to breathe, paralysis, or even heart failure. About 10 percent
of people who get diphtheria die from the disease. Before the DPT
vaccine was introduced in the United States, 17,000 children died in a
single year from a diphtheria epidemic. Over the past several years,
very few cases of diphtheria have been reported in the United States. In
1988, there were no cases. This is primarily because most children have
had DPT vaccines. Diphtheria is still around, but most children are
ready to fight back if they are exposed.
What is pertussis?
Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is extremely contagious. Before
widespread immunization, virtually all children contracted whooping
cough. Small children get the sickest while adults appear only to have a
bad cold. In recent years 4,200 cases of pertussis have been officially
reported. Pertussis is the common cause for undiagnosed chronic cough in
adults and older children. A study published in the June 15, 2001 issue
of Clinical Infectious Diseases found that pertussis was the
cause of chronic cough in 19.9 percent of the patients studied. For
healthy teens and adults, pertussis is usually nothing more nuisance,
lasting months, sometimes with vomiting.
For babies and those at high risk, pertussis can be severe or even life
threatening. Pertussis causes repeated spells of coughing that can make
it difficult to eat, drink, or breathe. About one out of every 200
children who get pertussis will die. Another one out of every 200 will
have lifetime brain damage. As many as 2 percent will have seizures, 16
percent will get pneumonia, and 50 percent will be sick enough to be
hospitalized.
What is tetanus?
Tetanus, also called lockjaw, is caused by a bacterium that is common in
the soil. When this germ gets into an open cut or wound, an unprotected
person may contract tetanus, which creates serious muscle spasms strong
enough to snap the spine. Even with modern medical care, about 30
percent who get tetanus -- die from the disease. Tetanus was once very
widespread, but since 1975 only 50 to 100 cases have been reported per
year in the United States.
What is being done to
help those affected by vaccine injury?
A knowledgeable and qualified attorney may be able to help you if you or
someone you know has suffered from an adverse vaccine reaction.
The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (NVICP) was created by
the federal government in 1986 to compensate patients, or families of
patients, who have experience vaccine injuries. The vaccines covered
under the NVICP are diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles, mumps,
rubella, polio, Hepatitis B, chicken pox, and rotavirus. Vaccine
injuries include anaphylaxis, paralytic polio, and encephalopathy.
How do I apply for
compensation from vaccine injury?
Compensation for vaccine injuries are under the jurisdiction of the
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. The first step is to file
a petition with the United States Court of Federal Claims in Washington,
D.C. Your claim will be reviewed by a Special Master appointed by the
United States Court of Federal Claims. To qualify, you must be able to
show that the injury was caused by the vaccination and the extent of
your vaccine injuries. Decisions of the Special Masters may be appealed
to the United States Court of Federal Claims. It is recommended that an
expert vaccine lawyer help you to complete the claim.
Is there a time limit
for filing vaccine injury claims?
Yes. In the
case of a DPT vaccine injury, the side effects must have continued for
at least six months after vaccine administration and the claim must be
filed within 36 months after the first symptoms appear. In the case of
a death, the claim must be filed within 24 months of the death and
within 48 months after the onset of the vaccine-related injury from
which the death occurred.
Do I have a DPT vaccines Side-Effect Case?
|
