Bill · S. 3853· Senate(119-S-3853)
End the Vaccine Carveout Act
- Introduced
- 2/11/2026
- Last activity
- 2/11/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Sponsored by
- Rand Paul
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "End the Vaccine Carveout Act" aims to amend the Public Health Service Act. The bill seeks to end the current liability shield held by vaccine manufacturers. It would allow individuals to bring civil actions for damages in state or federal courts regarding vaccine-related injuries or deaths. Additionally, the bill excludes COVID-19 vaccines from the definition of a "covered countermeasure." It also repeals several existing sections of the Public Health Service Act related to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.
Yes· 3 of 4
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?+5
The bill allows individuals to sue vaccine manufacturers directly for damages, providing greater recourse for injuries.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+3
The bill shifts vaccine-related injury disputes from a specialized federal program to the public court system.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+2
The ability to sue in court may provide a path to higher damages than the existing compensation program for some individuals.
The opposite
Does this make health care easier to get in general?-3
By removing the liability shield, the bill may discourage manufacturers from producing certain vaccines, potentially impacting access.
Does this change how police departments operate?-1
The removal of liability shields shifts the legal burden and potentially increases litigation against private entities.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Ability to Sue for Damages: Under Section 2, paragraph (a)(1)(A)(ii), a person may bring a civil action against a vaccine administrator or manufacturer in a State or Federal court for damages resulting from a vaccine-related injury or death.
-
Exclusion of COVID-19 Vaccines from Certain Protections: Under Section 2, paragraph (b), the definition of "covered countermeasure" is amended so that it does not include any vaccine used to mitigate, prevent, or treat COVID-19.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Restrictions on Filing Dual Claims: According to Section 2, paragraph (a)(1)(A)(iv), if a person is awarded damages through a court judgment or settlement in a civil action, they may not file a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.
-
Restrictions on Filing Civil Actions after Compensation: Also under Section 2, paragraph (a)(1)(A)(iv), if compensation is awarded through a petition filed under the Program, the person who filed that petition may not bring a civil action against a vaccine administrator or manufacturer.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Consumer Protection+5
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households+2Good For People With Disabilities+2
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+3
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access-3
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Policing Reform-1
- 2/11/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Mike LeeRepublican · Utah