Unlike almost every other industry on the face of the earth, vaccine makers do not have to compensate their victims when their products injure or kill. How did they get this amazing special treatment?

In the 1980’s their vaccines were injuring a lot of children. The vaccine makers went to Congress and basically said either we get immunity from lawsuits so no one can sue us or we will stop making vaccines. The threat worked and Congress passed the:

The National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act

The National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act (NCVIA) of 1986 (42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to 300aa-34) was signed into law by United States President Ronald Reagan as part of a larger health bill on November 14, 1986. 

NCVIA’s purpose was to eliminate the potential financial liability of vaccine manufacturers due to vaccine injury claims in order to ensure a stable market supply of vaccines, and to provide cost-effective arbitration for vaccine injury claims.

H.R.5546

Summary: H.R.5546 — 99th Congress (1985-1986)

The law

“Provides that no vaccine manufacturer shall be liable in a civil action for damages arising from a vaccine-related injury or death: (1) resulting from unavoidable side effects; or (2) solely due to the manufacturer’s failure to provide direct warnings.”

For a more detailed legal discussion see Part 7.