Vaccine injury fund likely to increase: CDC

According to CDC Director Steve Hsu-Sung Kuo, the idea came up as the H1N1 epidemic continues to spread while the number of people receiving the new vaccine dwindles; reports of stillbirths during pregnancy and even deaths of the immunized have caused fear and discouragement among the public. According to CDC statistics, only 21 percent of the nation's people have been vaccinated. The disease center said the inoculation program has yet to achieve mass immunity as people continue to avoid the shots at the expense of their own health.

Two New Cases of Hospitalized H1N1 Patients

Two new cases of H1N1 victims were reported yesterday, bring the total to over 831 cases of H1N1 hospitalization, among which 35 deaths have resulted. Although the epidemic continues to heat up, vaccination visits have reached a standstill; up until last Friday, only an average of 46,000 people per day received injections.

According to Kuo, an average of 150,000 people per day were vaccinated when the program first kicked off. At the current rate, Kuo said that epidemic prevention agencies have become worried that a mass immunity effect will not take place. However, Kuo emphasized that the CDC, “did not want to threaten people with the epidemic” and that it's imperative was to clarify and assuage public concerns of adverse reactions to the vaccine.

NT$2 Mil. Relief Fund to Increase

To rebuild public confidence in the vaccine, Kuo proposed to increase the relief fund for the post-inoculated; The current maximum amount of NT$2 million in victim relief funds will likely be raised.

Currently, the fund provides relief only to those identified with injuries directly related to the vaccine. It also covers NT$300,000 for the cost of funerals or autopsies performed after a person has passed away in a suspected, inoculation-related death.

Kuo said that the CDC is considering increasing the payment as well as the types of relief covered. The CDC is also considering the addition of human right activists and social justice proponents to the review team for the Compensation of Vaccine Injury, which currently consists of medical industry insiders.

1|2|Next Page>>

SharePrintEmail

Write a Comment

Enter your comments - 3000 characters max

Type in image code

Submit

 Receive China Post promos Respond to this email