Perspectives on vaccine injury compensation program in Korea: the pediatricians' view

PURPOSE: Since National Immunization Program (NIP) was implemented recently in Korea, public attention on vaccine safety is increasing. This study was aimed to investigate perceptions of pediatricians on the vaccine injury compensation program and to acquire their suggestions to improve the program. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pediatricians working in primary care were surveyed at the sites of the annual Korean Pediatric Society meeting or its regular regional branch meetings during September and October 2012. A questionnaire consisted of 15 items about the Korean National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (KNVICP) was distributed and collected directly from the pediatricians. RESULTS: A total of 340 responses were collected. While only 16% of responded pediatricians answered they knew the program well, 11% answered they did not. Twenty-six percent answered a need to expand the types of vaccines and its injuries. Most responders (82%) wished the compensation program to cover the injuries of non-NIP vaccines. On the filing procedures for compensation, they preferred reducing the minimum medical cost limit to claim (94%). CONCLUSION: On the basis of this survey, it is suggested to provide more active informative education on KNVICP to primary care pediatricians and to improve the program considering the pediatricians' opinions.