Rand Paul spotlights bill intended to end vaccine liability shield

U.S. Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky has announced the End the Vaccine Carveout Act, legislation that would remove federal liability protections for vaccine manufacturers and administrators.

The bill would allow individuals who claim they were harmed by vaccines to file lawsuits directly in state or federal court instead of first going through the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, a federal no-fault system. It would also remove COVID-19 vaccines from immunity protections granted under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act.

According to a news release from Paul’s office, he says that while people can sue drug companies over other pharmaceutical products, vaccines operate under a different legal framework that limits court access. He calls the current system “rigged” and said the legislation would restore fairness and accountability.

The Senate measure is a companion to House legislation introduced by U.S. Representative Paul Gosar of Arizona, who says no product should be shielded from accountability simply because it is labeled a vaccine.

U.S. Senator Mike Lee of Utah, a cosponsor of the bill, says Americans have a constitutional right to a jury trial and should be able to pursue claims in court if they believe they were harmed.