The HHS has launched a new NIH clinic to study vaccine injuries and implemented policy changes aimed at improving reporting and patient care. This initiative seeks to address concerns and build trust by taking vaccine injury reports seriously.
New Federal Initiative Launched
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced on October 8 the opening of a new National Institutes of Health (NIH) clinic in Bethesda, Maryland, dedicated to evaluating and studying patients who report health problems following vaccination. The clinic, which began operations on October 5, marks the latest step in a broader federal initiative to improve the identification, investigation, and treatment of potential vaccine-related injuries.
Key Developments in the Initiative
The HHS outlined several components of the new program, including:
- A dedicated NIH clinic at the agency’s Bethesda campus to assess patients and conduct research on vaccine injuries.
- A new billing code to reimburse physicians for reporting serious vaccine side effects to federal systems.
- Enhanced electronic health records to streamline reporting and analysis of adverse events.
- Policy changes to strengthen the CDC’s Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), including proposed updates to improve data collection and accessibility.
Official Statements and Rationale
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated in a press release that the initiative aims to address concerns raised by patients and families who report vaccine injuries. “We must listen to patients and families who report vaccine injuries — not dismiss or gaslight them,” Kennedy said. “President [Donald] Trump and I are building a health system that takes them seriously, follows the evidence, and uses what we learn to make vaccines safer.” Kennedy emphasized that the new clinic and policy changes reflect a commitment to improving trust in public health institutions.
Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, director of the NIH, described the clinic’s purpose in a video statement: “It is dedicated to developing the science of preventing vaccine injuries, making vaccines safer, and most important of all, listening to the voices of people who have suffered vaccine injury, so that we can learn from them and learn from their experience to make vaccines safer.”
Patient Advocacy and Testimonials
The announcement follows meetings between Kennedy and individuals who say they experienced adverse effects from vaccines. Brianne Dressen, who reported injuries after receiving the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine and was treated at the NIH in 2021, told reporters that the new clinic represents “a step in the right direction.” Dressen co-founded React19, a group advocating for research and support for those affected by vaccine injuries.
Background and Policy Context
The NIH published two documents in June outlining its approach to vaccine safety research: “Epidemiological Studies of Vaccination and Health Outcomes Across the Lifespan” and “Using Clinical Studies and Human-Based Models to Understand Vaccine Mechanisms Impacting Efficacy and Safety.” The HHS also noted that vaccine injury reports are significantly underreported, citing a study from November 2025 that highlights gaps in current surveillance systems.
Next Steps and Implementation
The HHS has not provided a detailed timeline for the full rollout of the new policies, though the NIH clinic is operational. The agency stated that additional updates on the initiative’s progress will be shared in the coming months. The policy changes, including the new billing code and VAERS improvements, are pending implementation through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).