The National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986 created the VICP, which began on October 1, 1988, after a series of lawsuits threatened to cause vaccine shortages and reduce U.S. vaccination rates.
[A]ll petitions must be filed within 3 years after the first symptom of the alleged vaccine injury, or within 2 years of the death and 4 years after the first symptom of the alleged vaccine injury that resulted in death.