FAQs on the VIS-Are You Up on the Law?

June 21st is a VIS (Very Important Sunday). Father’s Day and the first day of summer both fall on that date this year.

But mention those same letters-V.I.S.-to a primary care provider and an administrative headache, not a sunny day of paternal celebration, comes to mind for most of us. A number of legal mandates surround Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) sheets. The National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act (NCVIA-42 U.S.C.§ 300aa-26) was passed in 1986 to help reduce the legal costs to pharmaceutical companies and doctors associated with alleged vaccine side effects. The vaccine involved in most of the suits was the whole cell DPT vaccine that is no longer available in the US. Part of that law includes the stipulations for providers surrounding VIS sheets.

Are you being compliant with the law? Let’s see how much you know.