Penn. bill would add vaccine side effects to comp cover

Pennsylvania lawmakers on Tuesday introduced a bill amending the Workers Compensation Act to provide coverage for adverse events associated with vaccines.

The partisan bill H.B. 2135 was introduced and sponsored by 12 House Republicans and has been referred to the House Labor and Industry Committee.

The amendment outlines requirements for compensation for any employee who received the vaccine in the course of employment, including an employee who was required to receive the vaccine as a condition of employment.

A record of adverse events associated with a vaccine, as reported to the employer or of which the employer otherwise has knowledge, must be documented and reported to the General Assembly by May 1.

The bill includes an intention to compile and publish these in annual reports on the workers compensation program published by the department.