The World Health Organization (WHO) has agreed to a no-fault compensation plan for claims of serious side effects in people in 92 countries due to receive COVID-19 vaccines via the COVAX sharing scheme, resolving a major concern among governments.
Jamaica is one of the countries set to benefit from the COVAX facility.
In a statement the WHO said the programme, was the first and only vaccine injury compensation mechanism operating on an international scale.
It will offer eligible people a fast, fair, robust and transparent process.
The statement said, by providing a no-fault lump-sum compensation in full and final settlement to claims, the COVAX programme aims to significantly reduce the need for recourse to the law courts, a potentially lengthy and costly process.
How compensation claims would be handled in the event of any serious COVID-19 vaccine side effects had been a worry for countries receiving COVID-19 shots via the COVAX plan.
Countries funding their own COVID-19 vaccine procurement also plan their own liability programmes.
The WHO-agreed plan, which has been under discussion for several months, is designed to cover serious side effects linked to any COVAX-distributed vaccines until June 30, 2022.
comments powered by Disqus
All feeds
