The federal government has increased funding for a program that provides financial compensation to individuals who have been seriously injured or killed by Health Canada-approved vaccines. The program was launched in response to the availability of COVID-19 vaccines and aims to support those who experience adverse effects from vaccination. The Liberals initially set aside $75 million for the program, with $56.2 million allocated to the private firm OXARO to manage and distribute payments for valid claims outside of Quebec. As of December, $11.2 million has been paid out in compensation, with Quebec also receiving funding for its own vaccine injury compensation program.
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) contracted OXARO to ensure the impartiality of the claims process. PHAC has no involvement in the program delivery, including the assessment or appeal of claims. The total cost of the program will depend on the number of individuals who apply for compensation. As of December, OXARO has received 2,233 claims and approved 138 of them, although the specific vaccines involved in these cases are not specified. The program covers injuries and deaths associated with vaccines approved for any illness, as long as they were administered after December 8, 2020.
Although serious adverse reactions to vaccines are rare, the government recognized the importance of supporting individuals who may be affected. With over 105 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines administered since December 2020, only 0.01% resulted in serious adverse effects according to Health Canada data. Of the 488 reported deaths following COVID-19 vaccination, four were directly linked to the shot. To be eligible for compensation, individuals must demonstrate that they suffered a severe, life-threatening, or life-altering injury resulting in disability, incapacity, birth defect, or death. The program aims to provide assistance to those experiencing rare but severe adverse reactions to vaccines.
In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government made vaccination mandatory for certain activities such as travel by plane or train, or working for the federal public service. Quebec also saw an increase in claims to its vaccine injury compensation program during the pandemic, with 98 claims filed in both 2021 and 2022 compared to just one claim in 2020. Despite the increase in claims, only three cases had been approved for compensation as of March 2023. The additional $36 million allocated by the Liberal government in the federal budget will cover the next two years of the program, indicating a continued commitment to supporting individuals affected by vaccine injuries.
Overall, the vaccine injury compensation program aims to provide financial support to individuals who experience adverse effects from vaccines. The program was launched in response to the availability of COVID-19 vaccines and covers injuries and deaths associated with any Health Canada-approved vaccine administered after December 8, 2020. The federal government has increased funding for the program to ensure ongoing support for affected individuals, with a focus on addressing severe, life-threatening, or life-altering injuries resulting from vaccination. By contracting OXARO to manage the claims process, the program aims to provide impartiality and transparency in evaluating and approving compensation claims.
