Vitiligo and Vaccines: What You Should Know
What is Vitiligo?
Vitiligo is a condition where the body’s immune system attacks the cells that produce skin pigment, causing patches of lighter skin. It is not contagious and can affect people of any age or background.
Can Vaccines Cause Vitiligo?
There have been some reports and research suggesting a possible link between vaccines and the development or worsening of vitiligo. However, these cases are rare, and most people do not experience this side effect after vaccination. The medical community continues to study this relationship to better understand any potential risks.
Vitiligo and the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP)
Vitiligo is not currently listed as a “table injury” in the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (“VICP”). This means that claims involving vitiligo are considered “off-table” and require more medical evidence to pursue. There have been only a few such cases. One example is the Olschansky case, which involved the HPV (Gardasil) vaccine and was settled. However, every case is different, and a settlement in one case does not guarantee the same result for others.
What Does This Mean for You?
If you or a loved one developed vitiligo after receiving a vaccine, it’s important to know that each case is unique. While there have been a few claims, success is not guaranteed, and more evidence is usually needed for off-table injuries like vitiligo.
Legal Considerations and the VICP
If you or a loved one suffered vitiligo after receiving a vaccine, you may be eligible to file a claim in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims (“Vaccine Court”). The VICP can provide compensation for:
Medical expense
Lost wages or income
Pain and suffering
Note: Claims involving the COVID-19 vaccine are not eligible for the VICP at this time.
Contact a Vaccine Injury Lawyer Today
At Texas Vaccine Lawyers, a Division of The Greenwood Law Firm, we help clients navigate the VICP claims process to seek justice for vaccine-related injuries. Schedule a free consultation to discuss your case and explore your legal options.
Sources:
Vaccination-Induced Autoimmune Vitiligo Is a Consequence of Secondary Trauma to the Skin - Lane; Leitch; Tan; Hadjati; Bramson; Wan. Available: https://aacrjournals.org/cancerres/article/64/4/1509/512229/Vaccination-Induced-Autoimmune-Vitiligo-Is-a
HSP70I IS A CRITICAL COMPONENT OF THE IMMUNE RESPONSE LEADING TO VITILIGO - Mosenson, Zloza, Klarquist, Barfuss, Guevara-Patino, Le Poole. Available: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3662798/pdf/nihms329714.pdf
Vitiligo Following COVID-19 Vaccination and Primary Infection: A Case Report and Systematic Review – Kasmikha; Mansour; Goodenow; Kessler; Appel. Available: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10586347/pdf/cureus-0015-00000045546.pdf
Olschansky v. Sec'y of Health & Human Services, No. 17-1096V, 2019 WL 7560417 (Fed. Cl. Spec. Mstr. Oct. 21, 2019).