VACCINE INJURY COMPENSATION PROGRAM SHOULD BE FUNDED BY MFR. SURCHARGE
Executive Summary
The federal govt. should establish a program to compensate victims of vaccine-related injuries that could be funded "via a surcharge levied on the mfrs. and passed on partially to consumers," the American College of Physicians (ACP) recommended in a just-released position paper. Maintaining that there are "three major beneficiaries of immunization programs -- individuals, society, and vaccine mfrs." -- ACP said "it would seem appropriate that these three beneficiaries should share the costs" of a natl. victims compensation program. "Requiring vaccine mfrs. to fully fund a compensation program would not spread the cost equitably. The surcharge on mfrs. is the most equitable method of funding because all beneficiaries of mass immunizations will be contributing," ACP asserted. "Society as a whole, through the federal govt., could share in the cost by funding the initial phase of the compensation program," the college continued. "Other means of funding such a program include general revenues and increasing the charge for vaccinations." Sen. Hawkins (R-Fla.) introduced legislation (S 2117) last year that would establish a federal program for compensation of vaccine-related injuries. Current childhood immunization programs should be continued, even though there is a problem that "concerns a reduction in the number of firms manufacturing vaccines," ACP said. "Mfrs. have claimed that rising costs and inadequate prices have been a significant factor in the decision to withdraw from vaccine markets." For example, Wyeth recently halted production of its diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, citing rising and prohibitive costs of liability. However, "the inference that mfrs.' reluctance to produce vaccines has been linked to the possibility of liabilities for injuries has not been proved," ACP contended. "Indeed, recent advances in biotechnology may show a marked increase in vaccine production and safety, with decreased liability risks and costs," the college said.