On January 28, 2010, VICP called a conference to review eleven 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, eight cases were deemed not associated with the pandemic influenza A (H1N1) vaccine: one of 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, while a link between the vaccine and three cases couldn’t be excluded: two cases were reimbursed NT$40,000 and one case was reimbursed NT$10, 000.

Case # 1 is a 68-year-old man who has a medical history of high blood pressure and hepatitis B. 16 days after he received the H1N1 vaccine, he developed shock and lost heartbeat. He was then rushed to the emergency department for medical attention and was diagnosed with cardiac arrest, cardiogenic shock and respiratory distress.Currently, he is still unconscious.It was determined that the case’s symptoms were a result of his cardiac arrest and not associated with the vaccination.

Case #2 is a 13-year-old girl who experienced dizziness, general weakness and palpitation after receiving the H1N1 vaccine. She was immediately rushed to the emergency department and hospitalized for medical treatment.Her neurological examinations showed no abnormalities. She was diagnosed with hyperventialiton syndrome and muscle weakness.It was determined that the case’s hyperventilation syndrome was heart-caused.Therefore, the case was ruled non-compensable.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 #3 is an 1-year-old infant who developed purpura and bruises five days after its vaccination. It was diagnosed with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).A link between the vaccine and the infant’s adverse response to the vaccine cannot be completely eliminated.Therefore, the case was reimbursed NT$40,000.

Case #4 is a 15-year-old girl who developed continuous yawning, red eyes, tears, numbness in left hand, and slight dizziness 4 hours after her vaccination.She was hospitalized for medical treatment and was discharged when her symptoms improved.All her examinations showed no abnormalities.It was determined that the case’s symptoms were heart-caused.Therefore, the case was ruled non-compensable.

Case #5 is a 14-year-old girl who developed lethargy and sleepiness when she returned home after her vaccination.She was later rushed to the emergency department for medical treatment when she developed cough, fever and vomiting.She was diagnosed with diabetic ketoacidosis.It was determined that the case’s symptoms were those of diabetic ketoacidosis.Therefore, the case was ruled non-compensable.

Case #6 is a 4-year-old boy. He developed fever 22 days after his vaccination. He sought medical attention at a hostpial and was diagnosed with tonsillitis.On the same day, he lost his consciousness and developed cyanotic lips and upward turning of the eyes.He was then hospitalized for further treatment.When he developed shock syndrome, he was placed in intensive care.His brain CT scan showed pervasive cerebral edema.He then died because his symptoms did not improve.The case was suspected of viral infection and septic shock, which were not associated with the vaccination.The actual cause of death is waiting to be confirmed by the autopsy.The case was reimbursed NT$300,000 for performing the autopsy.

Case #7 is a 38-year-old woman who developed dizziness and fast heartbeat 20 minutes after her vaccination. She then sought medical attention at a hospital.Her blood test showed hypokalemia.Her symptoms stabilized after treatment.It was determined that the case’s symptoms were those of needle shock, hyperpnea and low blood potassium level. It is recommended that the case should regularly monitor changes in her blood pressure.

Case #8 is a 6-year-old boy who developed fever the day after his vaccination. 9 days after he received the vaccine, he developed vomiting and diarrhea.16 days after his vaccination, he developed blood spots on his left thigh, which then spread to his forehead, oral mucous membrane, body and limbs, and hemorrhage of the gums and gingival.He was then rushed to the emergency department and hospitalized for medical treatment.He was diagnosed with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).A link between the vaccine and the case’s adverse response to the vaccine cannot be completely eliminated.Therefore, the case was reimbursed NT$40,000.

Case #9 is a 62-year-old man who has a medical history of hepatitis C, cirrhosis, nasopharyngeal carcinoma and liver cancer.He developed general weakness on the day of his vaccination.On the next day, he developed fever and was hospitalized for medical treatment.His chest x-ray shows bilateral pulmonary infiltrates.After treating with antibiotics, his conditions were stabilized and he was discharged.Subsequently, he developed respiratory distress and was hospitalized again for further treatment.He was diagnosed with pneumonia and respiratory distress.He was placed in intensive care when he developed a drop in his blood oxygen level and respiratory distress.Currently, he has been transferred to a general ward.It was determined that the case’s symptoms were those of liver disease and infection and not associated with the vaccination.

Case #10 is a 37-year-old woman who developed itchy eyes and nose and rashes on her hips and backs the next day after her vaccination.The case has several years of allergy and her IgE level was found to be above the normal range.She developed nettle rash after her vaccination.A link between the vaccine and the case’s adverse response to the vaccine cannot be completely eliminated.Therefore, the case was reimbursed NT$10,000.It was recommended that the case should not get the seasonal influenza vaccine in the future.

Case # 11 is a 53-year-old woman who has a medical history of colorectal cancer, herniated interveterbral disc, peptic ulcer disease, headache and anxiety.The day after she received the H1N1 vaccine, she fell due to weakness in her right limbs and experienced headache and cramp.Her symptoms improved after she was hospitalized for medical treatment.Her nerve conduction velocity test showed no abnormalities.Her symptoms of headache and weakness in her right limbs persisted.It was suspected that the case’s symptoms of those of ischemic stroke.Therefore, it was determined that the case is not associated with the vaccination.

As of January 29, 2010, the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) has received a total of 218 claims requesting compensation for individuals thought to be injured by the pandemic influenza A (H1N1) vaccine. VICP has completed reviewing 39 petitions.Five cases were ruled compensable (association is confirmed in one while association cannot be excluded in the other four) while the other thirty-four cases were ruled non-compensable.Thirteen 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 NT880, 000.A total of 26 suspected vaccine-related deaths were filed for compensation, and 7 have been reviewed and ruled non-compensable.