U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) has introduced the End the Vaccine Carveout Act, a bill that seeks to remove special legal protections for vaccine manufacturers and administrators from civil liability claims. The legislation, also backed in the House by Congressman Paul Gosar (AZ-09) and cosponsored by Senator Mike Lee (R-UT), aims to allow individuals who suffer injury or death from vaccines to pursue direct civil action in state or federal court.
Currently, federal law grants vaccine makers—including those producing COVID-19 vaccines—legal immunity not given to other medical product manufacturers. Under existing rules, people claiming injury are generally required to use the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP), a federal no-fault system that limits damages and restricts legal options before they can seek relief through the courts.
The proposed act would reform VICP by removing these barriers and ending immunity for COVID-19 vaccines under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act. It would also amend the PREP Act so that COVID-19 vaccines are no longer classified as “covered countermeasures,” which would end broad immunity for manufacturers, distributors, and administrators regarding most injury claims related to these vaccines.
“If a drug hurts someone, you can sue the company in court. You can hold them responsible through the normal legal process. But when it comes to vaccines, and in many cases the COVID vaccine, the rules are rigged: you’re funneled into a federal no-fault program that limits damages, restricts your options, and — in many cases — leaves people without real justice. That’s cronyism,” said Dr. Rand Paul.
“I strongly support the Senate companion legislation introduced by Senator Paul to my bill, the End the Vaccine Carveout Act. No product should be shielded from accountability simply because it is labeled a vaccine. Americans deserve equal protection under the law, full transparency, and the right to seek justice when harmed. This legislation restores fairness, strengthens trust, and puts patients—not special interests—first,” stated Congressman Paul Gosar.
“Pharma giants are hiding behind legal protections to avoid being sued by Americans experiencing serious vaccine side effects,” said Senator Mike Lee. “Americans have a constitutional right to a trial by jury, but current laws allow Big Pharma players to dodge accountability and bar victims from pursuing their cases. Many of these patients were forced to get vaccinated or lose their jobs during the pandemic and are now dealing with permanent and very serious complications. Our bill will end these unconstitutional vaccine carveouts so that all Americans can receive the justice they deserve and hold Big Pharma accountable.”
Senator Paul was elected in 2010 to represent Kentucky in the U.S. Senate according to his official website https://www.paul.senate.gov/. He has also founded initiatives such as the Southern Kentucky Lions Eye Clinic in 1995 for families needing eye care services https://www.paul.senate.gov/. In addition to his legislative work on health issues like this bill, he has authored books including ‘Deception: The Great Covid Coverup’ https://www.paul.senate.gov/ and has emphasized limiting government roles while promoting fiscal responsibility https://www.paul.senate.gov/. He previously chaired the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs https://www.paul.senate.gov/.
