Press Releases

Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) eliminates association between two suspected vaccine-related death and H1N1 vaccine

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• Hit: 2050

• Source:第一組
• Date:2010-01-21

On January 20, 2010, VICP called a conference to review three petitions. At the conference, VICP reviewed the cases’ clinical charts, laboratory data, medical treatment, disease development, past medical history, related vaccine characteristics, relevant literature and clinical experiences to determine the cause of each case and the association between the H1N1 vaccine and the case. According to the report released by VICP, the three cases were deemed not associated with the pandemic influenza A (H1N1) vaccine.

Case# 1 was a 74-year old woman. The case had a medical history of high blood pressure, liver cirrhosis and diabetes. The day after her vaccination, she sought medical attention at a clinic when she developed fever and rash over the entire body. She was then transferred to the hospital and hospitalized for further treatment. At the hospital, she was diagnosed with Stevens-Johnson syndrome when she was found to have skin breaks, conjunctivitis and conjunctival secretion. Due to the seriousness of her conditions, she subsequently died. According to the case’s medical records, the case had developed oral ulcer prior to getting the H1N1 vaccine. The case’s development of Stevens-Johnson syndrome might have been a result of the prescription of carbamazepine. Hence, the case is not associated with the vaccination. The family of the case was suggested to apply for drug injury compensation.

Case# 2 was a 52-year old man. In the evening of his vaccination, he developed loss of appetite, cough and shortness of breath. Three days after his vaccination, he experienced respiratory distress when he was on his hemodialysis. His chest X-ray showed bilateral pulmonary infiltration and pneumonia. His serological test confirmed mycoplasma infection. After being treated with antibiotics, the case improved. However, he subsequently developed fever, change in level of consciousness and respiratory distress. He was then intubated with tracheal tubes for further treatment. His conditions got worse and he died. It was determined that the case died of mycoplasma-related pneumonia, respiratory distress syndrome and septic shock. Hence, the case is not associated with the vaccination.

Case# 3 is a 14-year-old girl who experienced discomfort, chills and dizziness after receiving the H1N1 vaccine. When she sought medical attention, no abnormalities were detected. Six days after her vaccination, she sought further medical assistance at a hospital when she experienced voiding difficulty and frequent urination. Both her blood and urine tests showed no abnormalities. It was thus determined that the case experienced needle shock from the injection. In addition, her other symptoms were not related to the vaccination. Hence, the case was ruled non-compensable.

As of January 21, 2010, the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) has received a total of 127 claims requesting compensation for individuals thought to be injured by the pandemic influenza A (H1N1) vaccine. VICP has completed reviewing 28 petitions. Two cases were ruled compensable (association is confirmed in one while association cannot be excluded in the other) while the other twenty-six cases were ruled non-compensable. Twelve cases were reimbursed NT$20,000~ NT$50,000 for medical charges and examination fees imposed to determine the link between the case and the H1N1 vaccine according to the new regulation and one case was reimbursed for performing autopsy. The total amount of reimbursement made so far is NT470, 000. A total of 19 suspected vaccine-related deaths were filed for compensation, and 6 have been reviewed and ruled non-compensable.