Vaccines play a crucial role in preventing serious illnesses like polio and mumps. Thanks to widespread immunization and herd immunity, these diseases are now rare. But while vaccines help protect public health, they can also cause adverse reactions and serious injuries in rare cases.
In 2024 alone, over 51,000 reports of vaccine side effects and injuries were submitted to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), operated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
These side effects range from mild allergic reactions to severe, life-altering injuries—such as shoulder injuries and neurological conditions.
If you’ve been injured by a vaccine, you’re not alone—and there is help available. The federal government created the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) to support people harmed by vaccines. Through this no-fault system, you may be eligible to receive financial compensation for your injury.
This guide will walk you through common vaccine injuries, how to distinguish them from normal reactions, and how to file a VICP claim.
What Are the Most Common Vaccine Injuries?
Most vaccines cause only minor symptoms—like soreness or fatigue. However, some individuals suffer more serious reactions. Here are five vaccine injuries most frequently filed in the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program:
1. Shoulder Injury (SIRVA)
Improper injection technique or vaccine content can lead to shoulder injuries from vaccine administration. Symptoms appear within 48 hours following vaccination. Patients with SIRVA may be diagnosed with frozen shoulder, bursitis, or rotator cuff tears.
2. Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)
Often linked to the flu shot, GBS causes the immune system to attack nerve cells, leading to weakness or paralysis. While most recover, some suffer long-term nerve damage.
3. Chronic Arthritis
Vaccines containing the rubella virus, such as MMR shots, have been associated with chronic arthritis. Symptoms will appear between 7-42 days following vaccination.
4. Encephalitis
This inflammation of the brain can result from a vaccine-triggered immune response. Symptoms of encephalitis include fever, fatigue, confusion, and in rare cases, permanent brain damage.
5. Anaphylaxis
A severe allergic reaction to vaccine ingredients, anaphylaxis may cause hives, throat swelling, or fainting. Immediate medical attention is required.
Vaccine Reaction vs. Vaccine Injury: What’s the Difference?
After vaccination, you might feel sore or run a low-grade fever—this is a vaccine reaction, and it typically resolves within a few days.
A vaccine injury, however, involves long-lasting or permanent effects that often require medical treatment. If you’re experiencing persistent pain, weakness, or other serious symptoms, don’t ignore them—see your doctor and consider speaking to a vaccine injury attorney.
How to File a Vaccine Injury Claim
The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP), administered by the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, provides an alternative to traditional lawsuits. Established in 1986, the VICP was designed to protect public health while ensuring that people injured by vaccines still receive justice.
If you’ve been injured by a covered vaccine (like the flu, tetanus, MMR, or HPV vaccines), you can file a claim—even if your specific injury isn’t listed on the official Vaccine Injury Table.
⚠️ Important: You must file your claim within three years of the onset of your first symptoms. Claims filed after this deadline are usually denied, even if the injury was clearly caused by a vaccine.
Should I Hire a Vaccine Injury Attorney?
Even though the VICP is a no-fault program, you’ll still need to present a strong case—often against federal attorneys. The good news? The program covers your legal fees, so there’s no cost to hire an experienced vaccine injury lawyer.
Your attorney will gather evidence, file your petition in vaccine court, and handle communications so you can focus on recovery. If successful, you may receive compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
We Represent Vaccine Injury Victims Nationwide
If you believe you’ve suffered a vaccine injury, don’t wait. Contact the vaccine injury attorneys at Shannon Law Group, P.C. today. We’ve helped people just like you get the justice and compensation they deserve.
📞 Call us at (312) 578-9501 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free case evaluation.
Download your free copy of Vaccine Injuries: Understanding the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program by attorney Jonathan Svitak. In this publication, Jonathan explains the history of this unique federal program and answers some of your most frequently asked questions about vaccine injury cases.
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