Why are zoster (RZV, Shingrix, GSK) and pneumococcal polysaccharide (PPSV23; Pneumovax, Merck) vaccines not covered by the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program?

The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (NVICP) includes payment only for injuries determined to have occurred following vaccination with a vaccine routinely recommended for children or pregnant women in the United States. The recipient can be of any age, but the vaccine must be routinely recommended for children through age 18 years or pregnant women. The vaccine must be subject to an excise tax to be included in the program. Shingrix and PPSV23 vaccines are not routinely recommended for children or pregnant women; Shingrix is only recommended for adults. COVID-19 vaccines will transition from injury compensation coverage under the Countermeasure Injury Compensation Program to NVICP once criteria are met for inclusion in NVICP. More information about the program and the covered vaccines is at www.hrsa.gov/vaccine-compensation/covered-vaccines/index.html.