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Family to appeal compensation decision by DOH

The family of a two-year-old boy who became paralyzed by acute disseminated encephalomyelitis after receiving a vaccine are now appealing to the Department of Health after receiving NT$800,000 in compensation.

The boy received the third dose of a combined diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine and Sabin’s oral vaccine at a public health center in Sanshing (三星) township in Ilan County in April last year, the boy’s father Jen King-he (任金和) said.

Jen said his son came down with a fever the day after receiving the vaccine and was then given another injection at the center to bring the fever down.

Later the boy had occasional feverish days, but started to suffer paralysis in all four limbs and aphasia in June last year, Jen said.

Jen said a hospital in Lotung Township (羅東), Ilan County, said that the boy’s illness was caused by the three-in-one vaccine, while a hospital in Taipei diagnosed the boy with an inherited disease.

The boy was diagnosed as having acute disseminated encephalomyelitis in June last year and was classed as disabled last October, said Yang Chung-hsing (楊忠興), deputy director-general of Ilan County’s Department of Health.

Yang said his agency decided to give the family NT$800,000, the maximum compensation available for drug injuries, because they couldn’t determine whether the ailment was caused by the vaccination or an ensuing infection.

As no other children receiving the vaccine had experienced similar symptoms, Yang said that his agency didn’t find it necessary to suspend administering the vaccine.

Jen said that members of his family had all suffered breakdowns because the boy has no chance of being cured and will need constant care for the rest of his life.

The family is appealing for more compensation as the NT$800,000 is not enough to take care of their son until he is 18 years old and the family cannot cover the costs with the money they earn growing spring onions, Jen said.
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