Blood Disorders from Vaccines
We help people who have suffered a blood disorder called thrombocytopenic purpura following a covered vaccine. The condition is also called immune thrombocytopenic purpura, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, or ITP. ITP is an autoimmune disease which causes a low blood platelet count which effects clotting and can result in internal bleeding and external bleeding underneath or from the skin. Besides abnormally low platelet counts, signs of ITP include:
Purple bruises called purpura (PURR-purr-ah) on the skin or mucous membranes of the mouth Tiny red or purple dots on the skin, called petechiae (peh-TEE-kee-ay), which may look like a rash Nosebleeds Bleeding from the gums during dental work Other bleeding that is hard to stop
These symptoms often lead persons to seek medical attention, which then leads to testing and diagnosis of ITP.
Have You Suffered a Blood Disorder From a Vaccine?
ITP is a rare disorder but is a known side effect of vaccines containing the measles virus, including the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. Although studies have indicated no increased risk of ITP from other vaccines, the Program has compensated persons following seasonal influenza (flu), hepatitis A (Hep A), varicella (chicken pox), human papillomavirus (HPV, including Gardasil), and tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccines.
Criteria for Recovering an ITP Claim
Most claims based upon ITP involve the onset of the first symptoms between 7 and 30 days. To recover, ITP or its residual effects must meet one of three criteria: (1) lasted at least 6 months after the date of the vaccination, (2) resulted in you being in a hospital where you were required to have surgery, or (3) resulted in death.