As a former litigator who spent two years working in Vaccine Court, I have a unique perspective on the COVID vaccine. Recently, I shared with my teens that we secured vaccine appointments an hour away, and one of them exclaimed in relief. I couldn’t help but joke about it being Pfizer, trying to mask my own unease with the entire situation. After a year of grappling with the pandemic, it’s surreal that a vaccine is the key to our relief. As I mark the dates on my calendar—one day and then another 21 days later—I can’t shake the question of whether I’ll truly feel relief or something entirely different.
My Journey to Vaccine Court
Before I became a mother to three teens, I embarked on my legal career in Washington D.C. as a judicial clerk in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. That two-year stint at Vaccine Court, which hears claims against the U.S. government, shaped my professional journey significantly. I had the honor of working under Chief Special Master Gary Golkiewicz, a pivotal figure in the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, often referred to as “Vaccine Court.” This court serves as a unique platform for claims related to vaccine injuries under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986.
The Vaccine Court allows claimants to file complaints against the government instead of private manufacturers, streamlining the process for seeking damages. The act was introduced to address the surge of lawsuits against vaccine manufacturers in the 1970s and 1980s, which hindered vaccine production and posed a public health risk. As someone who studied this extensively in law school, I found the Vaccine Act to be an innovative solution to a pressing public health issue.
Insights Gained from Vaccine Court
On my first day at the Vaccine Court, my predecessor assured me that I wouldn’t develop cynicism about vaccines or their manufacturers. Instead, I would gain a deeper understanding of their complexities. She was absolutely right. After two years of hearing cases related to vaccine injuries, I gained invaluable insights into the emotional struggles families face. The court operated under a system where causation could be presumed if specific symptoms arose within a certain timeframe after vaccination, although this was not always favorable to the claimants.
After leaving the court, I knew I wanted to be a litigator and a mother committed to vaccinating my children—under certain conditions, of course. My children’s first pediatrician was kind and accommodating, allowing me to stagger their vaccinations to ensure they were healthy enough for each dose. As new vaccines were added to the required list, I continued my thorough research and analysis before making decisions.
The Decision to Vaccinate My Teens
When the COVID vaccine became available for teenagers, I was flooded with a mix of emotions. The desire for a solution to the pandemic was strong, yet I couldn’t ignore my anxieties about being hasty in scheduling appointments for my teens. After discussing the risks and benefits with my ex-husband, a physician, we agreed that vaccination was the best choice for our children. This decision felt significant, especially since we seldom agree on anything these days.
My teens were capable of driving themselves to the clinic for their first dose, but I insisted on taking them for the second shot. I recalled feeling foggy after my own second dose and wanted to ensure their safety. During our two-hour round trip, we enjoyed rare uninterrupted time together, discussing everything from music to summer homework. My eldest even took a phone interview for a job, and I felt proud hearing him handle it confidently.
Reflecting on the Experience
After the vaccinations, while waiting the required 15 minutes, I reflected on my time at Vaccine Court. The experiences I had there—the documents, the scientific evidence, the families’ stories—shaped my understanding of the complexities surrounding vaccines. The Vaccine Act provided essential relief for many families and paved the way for the rapid development of the COVID vaccine, demonstrating the importance of innovative solutions in public health crises.
As we drove home, I cherished the time spent with my teens and felt a mix of relief, gratitude, and anticipation for the future. There’s still so much unknown, but the ability for my kids to engage in sports and camps because they are vaccinated brings hope. I remember my predecessor’s words from years ago: “Don’t worry. At the end of all this, you won’t be cynical about vaccines or vaccine manufacturers. You’ll just understand — more fully — how complicated it all is.”
Further Reading
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Summary
The author reflects on her experience in Vaccine Court and the complexities of vaccines while navigating the decision to vaccinate her teens against COVID. Through personal anecdotes and insights gained from her legal career, she shares her mixed emotions about the vaccine, the importance of informed decisions, and the hope vaccination brings for her family’s future.