The federal government announced an additional $36.4 million in funding for its vaccine injury compensation program, bringing the total allocated amount to $111.4 million since its inception in 2020. This program provides financial assistance to individuals who have suffered serious or life-altering injuries as a result of receiving Health Canada-approved vaccines. As of December 2023, $11.2 million in compensation has been paid to eligible claimants.
The program was initially announced after the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines, but it covers injuries and deaths associated with any approved vaccine administered after December 8, 2020. The government emphasizes that serious adverse reactions to vaccines are rare, affecting less than one in a million individuals.
To be eligible for compensation, the patient or their beneficiary must demonstrate that the injury resulted in a severe, life-threatening, or life-altering condition, persistent or significant disability, incapacity, a birth defect, or death. Over 105 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in Canada since December 14, 2020, with only 0.01% reported as leading to serious adverse effects. According to Health Canada, four deaths out of 488 reported after COVID-19 vaccination have been directly linked to the vaccine.
Quebec, which operates its own vaccine injury compensation program, has also experienced an increase in claims since the beginning of the pandemic. However, as of March 2023, only three of these cases have been approved for compensation.
The federal government contracted the administration of the program to OXARO, a private firm, to ensure impartiality and independence in the claims assessment process. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) maintains that it has no involvement in the assessment or appeals of claims.
The cost of the program is expected to vary based on the number of compensation applications received. As of December 2023, OXARO had received 2,233 claims and approved 138 of them. The available statistics do not specify the vaccines involved in these claims.
