Are Vaccines Dangerous?
As a veteran of the U.S. Army, I can’t help but answer questions by referring back to something the Army did. For this question, the story that comes to mind is that when then-General George Washington took command of the Continental Army in 1775, one of his first decisions was to vaccinate his troops against smallpox. At the time, smallpox was devastating populations and could have easily wiped out his army. His decision likely saved the American Revolution.
Clearly, vaccination is not new. In fact, people have been practicing forms of vaccination since the 10th century — long before modern medicine, before the printing press, before even sliced bread. Vaccination has a track record of being one of the oldest, most proven public health technologies in human history.
The Evidence
Across the global medical community, there is overwhelming scientific agreement that vaccines are a safe and effective way to prevent infectious diseases. They work by training your immune system to recognize and respond to viruses or bacteria before those pathogens can make you seriously ill.
When vaccines are used widely, they not only protect individuals but also entire communities — a phenomenon known as herd immunity. Diseases like smallpox, measles, and polio have been wiped out or nearly wiped out thanks to widespread vaccination.
Here’s a glimpse at the real-world impact:
In 1958, there were over 763,000 cases of measles in the U.S., resulting in 552 deaths.
After vaccines became common, that number dropped to fewer than 150 cases per year.
The measles vaccine alone prevents over a million deaths worldwide every single year.
Injuries Still Happen
Still, “safe and effective” does not mean “risk-free.” This is true of flying in airplanes, and it’s just as true for vaccines. In fact, vaccine injuries are about as rare as plane crashes. Statistically, you have a roughly one-in-a-million chance of suffering an adverse reaction to a vaccine, just like you have a roughly one-in-a-million chance of being in a plane crash. By comparison, you are 100,000 times more likely to develop liver cancer or be in a car crash.
But it is no conspiracy theory to state the obvious: vaccine injuries do occur, sometimes serious enough to cause long-term effects. Recognizing this reality, Congress created the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) in 1986. The goal was simple:
Protect public confidence in vaccines
Provide fair compensation for those who experience rare, serious side effects
Keep the vaccine supply stable so manufacturers could continue producing essential vaccines
Through the VICP, people who suffer legitimate vaccine injuries can seek compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and future care — all through a no-fault system that doesn’t require proving negligence.
How Pearsall Law Firm, P.C. Helps
At Pearsall Law, we represent individuals and families nationwide in vaccine injury cases under the VICP. We understand both the science and the law behind vaccine injuries, and we help clients:
Determine whether their injury qualifies under the VICP
File a petition in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims
Collect and submit all required medical evidence
Secure full and fair compensation
Attorney fees are paid by the federal program, separately from your compensation, so there’s no cost to lawyering up.
The Bottom Line
For the rare cases where someone is harmed, you are not on your own. The law ensures that you can seek help, healing, and financial relief through the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.
If you believe you or a loved one has suffered a vaccine-related injury, contact Pearsall Law today for a free consult and case review. We’ll listen, evaluate your case, and help you pursue the compensation you deserve — with compassion, zealous passion, and experience. Simply click the “Contact Us Now” button at the top of this page.