1. United States
2. Maine
3. Letter

The Vaccine Injury Compensation Program plays a crucial role in maintaining a stable supply of childhood vaccines in the United States. Threatening to overhaul or dismantle this program risks driving vaccine manufacturers out of the market, jeopardizing access to lifesaving immunizations that have prevented countless deaths and illnesses. Some specific examples highlight the fragility of our vaccine system: in the 1980s, lawsuits over vaccine injuries led manufacturers to abandon the U.S. market one by one, resulting in severe shortages that put children at risk of preventable diseases like whooping cough. The compensation program was established with bipartisan support to address this crisis by providing a no-fault system for injury claims while maintaining legal protections for vaccine makers. Recent actions by the new HHS Secretary raise grave concerns about undermining this critical program. Proposals to add unsubstantiated conditions like autism to the injury table, expand the statute of limitations, or make other radical changes could rapidly deplete the program's funding and open manufacturers to renewed litigation risks that previously caused them to exit the market. The public health consequences of such disruptions could be catastrophic. Congress must act urgently to safeguard the integrity of the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. Hearings should be held to require the HHS Secretary to justify any proposed changes with robust scientific evidence and data analysis demonstrating the actions will not destabilize vaccine supply and put children's health at risk. The stakes are too high to allow unilateral decisions that could cripple our nation's vaccination infrastructure based on debunked claims and ideological motivations. Preserving this vital program must be an utmost priority to protect current and future generations.