Vaccine court
The VICP covers all vaccines listed on the Vaccine Injury Table maintained by the Secretary of Health and Human Services; in 2007 the list included vaccines against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), measles, mumps, rubella (German measles), polio, hepatitis B, varicella (chicken pox), "Haemophilus influenzae" type b, rotavirus, and pneumonia. From 1988 until 8 January 2008, 5,263 claims relating to autism, and 2,865 non-autism claims, were made to the VICP. 925 of these claims, one autism-related (see previous rulings), were compensated, with 1,158 non-autism and 350 autism claims dismissed; awards (including attorney's fees) totaled $847 million. The VICP also applies to claims for injuries suffered before 1988; there were 4,264 of these claims of which 1,189 were compensated with awards totaling $903 million.
1775–82 North American smallpox epidemic
Even today, there is much debate surrounding the use of vaccines. Many parents and caregivers worry about potentially negative side effects associated with the vaccination of infants and children; this is merely and echo of the reaction to the smallpox inoculation and eventual vaccine. At the time of its introduction, almost all were extremely wary of this new medical procedure. It was difficult for colonists to understand how the infection of an otherwise healthy individual could have a positive outcome. However, inoculation saved many lives and protected the Continental Army from possible destruction. The smallpox inoculation program paved the way for the global public health system that is responsible for the control and eradication of many deadly diseases; including but not limited to polio, measles, and diphtheria.