On February 4, 2010, VICP called a conference to review nine petitions. At the conference, VICP reviewed the cases’ clinical charts, laboratory data, medical treatment, disease development, past medical history, related vaccine characteristics, relevant literature and clinical experiences to determine the cause of each case and the association between the H1N1 vaccine and the case. According to the report released by VICP, seven cases were deemed not associated with the pandemic influenza A (H1N1) vaccine: four of the cases were reimbursed NT$20,000 and one of the cases was reimbursed NT$10,000 for medical charges and examination fees imposed to determine the link between the case and the H1N1 vaccine according to the new regulation, while a link between the vaccine and two cases couldn’t be excluded: one case was reimbursed NT$30,000 and one case was reimbursed NT$10, 000.

Case # 1 is a 13-year-old boy who experienced dizziness 30 minutes after he received the H1N1 vaccine. On the following day, he was hospitalized for medical treatment. All the results of his medical examination showed no abnormalities. His symptoms improved after treatment. However, he was rushed to the emergency department for medical assistance a number of times due to dizziness. Therefore, it was determined that his symptoms were heart-caused, but not associated with the vaccination. The cases was reimbursed NT$20,000 for medical charges and examination fees imposed to determine the link between the case and the H1N1 vaccine according to the new regulation.

Case #2 is a 13-year-old girl who experienced dizziness, nausea and shivering two minutes after receiving the H1N1 vaccine. She was immediately rushed to the emergency department for medical assistance. She was diagnosed with vertigo and hyperventilation syndrome. She returned home when her symptoms improved after receiving treatment. When she experienced persistent tremor of her right shoulder, she was rushed to the emergency department and hospitalized for medical treatment. The results of all her medical examinations, including biochemical blood test, EEG test, head MRI scan and neurological examination, showed no abnormalities. Therefore, it was determined that her symptoms were heart-caused, but not associated with the vaccination. The cases was reimbursed NT$10,000 for medical charges and examination fees imposed to determine the link between the case and the H1N1 vaccine according to the new regulation.

Case #3 is a 35-year-old woman who experienced shortness of breath, vertigo and a drop in blood pressure on the day of her vaccination. She was rushed to the emergency department for medical assistance because she was experiencing difficulties in breathing and slight respiratory distress. On the day of her hospitalization, her vital signs were normal and the results of all medical examinations showed no abnormalities. During the hospitalization, she developed vertigo, headache, vomiting, general weakness and pain. Her neurological examination showed unsteady gait. Her head MRI scan showed no abnormalities. Her blood test showed slight anemia. Her symptoms improved after treatment. Therefore, it was determined that her symptoms were not associated with the vaccination. The cases was reimbursed NT$20,000 for medical charges and examination fees imposed to determine the link between the case and the H1N1 vaccine according to the new regulation.

Case #4 is a 58-year-old man who had a medical history of heart disease caused by high blood pressure, stroke, abdominal aortic aneurysm and uremia. Two days after his vaccination, he developed vomiting and abdominal pain after dialysis. He was rushed to the emergency department for medical assistance. His biochemical examination, abdominal ultrasound result and CT scan showed acute pancreatitis, abdominal aortic aneurysm and thrombosis. During the hospitalization, he developed leukocytosis, pneumonia, abdominal abscesses and sepsis. Despite treating with antibiotics and abscess drainage, the case died because his symptoms did not improve. It was determined that his symptoms were manifestations of his acute pancreatitis and abdominal aortic aneurysm, but not associated with the vaccination.

Case #5 is a 45-year-old man who has a medical history of chronic hepatitis C, alcohol dependence for more than 15 years and mixed anxiety-depressive disorder. Four days after his vaccination, he developed oral ulcer, limb shivering, swelling and numbness of his hands and feet. He was rushed to the emergency department because his symptoms, including numbness of his hands and feet, limb shivering, difficulties in breathing, chest distress and palpitation, persisted. He was diagnosed with hyperventilation syndrome, depression and anxiety at the hospital. He was treated with lorazepam and discharged when his symptoms improved. It was determined that his symptoms were a result of his hyperventilation syndrome, but not associated with the vaccination.

Case #6 is a 42-year-old woman who developed erythematous rash on her wrist the day after her vaccination. Subsequently, she developed erythematous rash on her hands and thighs. When she sought medical attention at a clinic, she was diagnosed with urticaria. After further treatment, her symptoms improved. However, a link between the vaccine and her symptoms could not be completely eliminated based on the time elapsed between the vaccination and the onset of her symptoms. Therefore, the case was reimbursed NT$10,000.

Case #7 is a 7-year-old girl who developed cough and vomiting in the evening of her vaccination. When she developed petechiae and bruises, she sought medical attention at a hospital. At the hospital, her palette count was found to be 13000 /μL. She was hospitalized for treatment. Her symptoms stabilized after treating with steroid pulse therapy. However, a link between the vaccine and her symptoms could not be completely eliminated based on the time elapsed between the vaccination and the onset of her symptoms. Therefore, the case was reimbursed NT$30,000.

Case #8 is a 12-year-old girl who developed weakness in her right profile 11 days after her vaccination. When she sought medical attention at the hospital, she was diagnosed with facial palsy. A week later, her symptoms got worse. She could not close her right eye and her mouth drooped when she talked or laughed. When she revisited the hospital, her symptoms had improved. Therefore, it was determined that the case’s symptoms were a result of her own viral infection or a reactivation of her own viral infection, but not associated with the vaccination. The case was reimbursed NT$20,000 for medical charges and examination fees imposed to determine the link between the case and the H1N1 vaccine according to the new regulation.

Case #9 is a 12-year-old girl who experienced slanted mouth when she talked and laughed and incomplete closure of her eyes 24 day after her vaccination. She was diagnosed with left facial palsy when she sought medical attention at a clinic. She was subsequently hospitalized. At the hospital, she was given steroids and administered physical therapy. It was determined that the case’s symptoms were a result of her own viral infection or a reactivation of her own viral infection, but not associated with the vaccination. The case was reimbursed NT$20,000 for medical charges and examination fees imposed to determine the link between the case and the H1N1 vaccine according to the new regulation.

As of February 5, 2010, the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) has received a total of 283 claims requesting compensation for individuals thought to be injured by the pandemic influenza A (H1N1) vaccine. VICP has completed reviewing 48 petitions. Seven cases were ruled compensable (association is confirmed in one while association cannot be excluded in the other six) while the other forty-one cases were ruled non-compensable. Nineteen cases were reimbursed NT$20,000~ NT$50,000 for medical charges and examination fees imposed to determine the link between the case and the H1N1 vaccine according to the new regulation and two cases were reimbursed for performing autopsy. The total amount of reimbursement made so far is NT$ 1, 070, 000. A total of 33 suspected vaccine-related deaths were filed for compensation, and 8 have been reviewed and ruled non-compensable.