"COVID Vaccine Makers Get Another Free Pass As Biden Admin Extends Liability Shield Through 2029"

The Biden administration has extended liability protections for COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers and healthcare providers administering the vaccines through December 2029. The decision, announced by Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra, will take effect on January 1, 2025. It marks the 12th extension of the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act’s liability shield since its introduction in January 2020.

Critics argue the extension prioritizes industry interests over public accountability, shielding vaccine makers from lawsuits related to injuries or deaths caused by their products.

“This is purely to protect themselves from litigation and prevent Americans injured by the COVID-19 vaccines from fair and just compensation”

— Dr. Joel Wallskog, Co-Chairman, React19

HHS defended the move, citing COVID-19 as an ongoing public health threat, with Becerra claiming that potential mutations and the need for sustained vaccine preparedness justify the protections.

“There is no credible threat. Pharma made this decision, and Becerra did their bidding. This was a political decision.”

— Wayne Rohde, Author of “The Vaccine Court: The Dark Truth of America’s Vaccine Injury Compensation Program“

Key implications of the extension:

COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers remain immune from lawsuits over injuries or deaths caused by their products.

Vaccine-related injury claims will continue to be handled by the Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program (CICP), criticized for low payouts and high denial rates.

Advocates say the extension leaves victims without meaningful legal recourse.

Advocacy groups have highlighted the CICP’s failures, with over 13,500 claims filed but only 18 compensated. The average payout is just over $24,000, with most receiving far less.

“Extending the PREP Act is a slap in the face to the many injured by the COVID vaccines who have nowhere to turn for help or support.”

— Dr. Danice Hertz, Retired Gastroenterologist

Calls for reform are growing, including the proposed Let Injured Americans Be Legally Empowered (LIABLE) Act, which would allow vaccine-injured individuals to sue manufacturers. However, the bill remains stalled in Congress.

With the incoming Trump administration and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. set to take over as HHS Secretary, advocates are hopeful. Many believe the new administration will reconsider the liability shield, possibly moving claims to the more supportive Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP).