New Delhi, March 11: In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court of India has directed the central government to establish a ‘no-fault Compensation system’ for individuals suffering serious adverse effects following COVID-19 Vaccination. The court emphasized that this system should be implemented through the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
The aim of this policy is to provide assistance to those who have experienced severe adverse events post-vaccination. The court clarified that the new policy must include provisions for compensation in cases where serious side effects have occurred after receiving the vaccine. However, it also noted that the existing monitoring mechanism for adverse events following immunization will continue to operate.
Furthermore, the Supreme Court stated that relevant data related to this monitoring system could be made public periodically to ensure transparency and keep the public informed.
Addressing concerns related to scientific assessment, the court mentioned that various scientific and technical frameworks are already in place for the investigation and evaluation of vaccination-related cases. Therefore, there is no need for the court to appoint a new expert committee for this purpose.
The Supreme Court also clarified that the establishment of the ‘no-fault compensation framework’ does not imply that the central government or any authority has accepted any liability or wrongdoing. Additionally, it stated that this decision does not preclude individuals from pursuing other legal remedies available under the law, allowing affected individuals to explore further legal options if necessary.