Covid-19 Vaccine Damage Payments Bill

Official Summary

A Bill to place a duty on the Secretary of State to make provision about financial assistance to persons who have suffered disablement following vaccination against Covid-19 and to the next of kin of persons who have died shortly after vaccination against Covid-19; to require the Secretary of State to report to Parliament on the merits of a no-fault compensation scheme to provide such financial assistance, on whether there should be any upper limit on the financial assistance available, on the criteria for eligibility and on whether payment should be made in all cases where there is no other reasonable cause for the death or disablement suffered; and for connected purposes.

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Overview

This Bill mandates the UK Secretary of State to investigate and propose a compensation scheme for individuals disabled by COVID-19 vaccines and the next of kin of those who died shortly after vaccination. The scheme would be no-fault, meaning proof of vaccine-caused harm isn't required for compensation.

Description

The Bill initiates a two-pronged approach:

Independent Review: Within 30 days of passing, the Secretary of State must appoint a High Court judge to lead an independent review. This review will assess the costs and benefits of a no-fault compensation scheme, examining factors such as the severity of vaccine-related disabilities, adequacy of current compensation, eligibility criteria, and the impact on public confidence in vaccination programs. The review must consider the efficacy of the Vaccine Damage Payments Act 1979 and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. The review will report its findings and recommendations to Parliament within 90 days of appointment.
Compensation Proposals: Within six months, the Secretary of State must propose a financial assistance scheme for those disabled by COVID-19 vaccines and their next of kin. These proposals will undergo a 12-week public consultation. The government's response to this consultation will be presented to Parliament within 90 days of the consultation's conclusion.

Government Spending

The Bill doesn't specify a budget. The financial implications depend on the recommendations of the independent review and the subsequent government response. The cost could be substantial, depending on the number of successful claims and the amount of compensation awarded.

Groups Affected

Individuals disabled by COVID-19 vaccines: Potentially eligible for compensation under a future scheme.
Next of kin of individuals who died shortly after COVID-19 vaccination: Potentially eligible for compensation.
UK Government: Responsible for funding any compensation scheme created.
The NHS: The review will assess its effectiveness in diagnosing and treating vaccine adverse reactions.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency: Its effectiveness in identifying and publicizing adverse reactions will be reviewed.

Full Text

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