Disappointment as Government fails to deliver Vaccine Compensation Scheme
Despite a December 2020 report on the handling of medical negligence claims, chaired by a High Court Judge, recommending the urgent introduction of an ex-gratia scheme for people who suffered injury from vaccination programmes , it has now emerged that the introduction of such a scheme has been further delayed.
Liam Moloney Solicitor, whose firm is representing many people who claim they have suffered serious adverse side effects from vaccines said today “this is a very disappointing announcement. Many people who are suffering on-going symptoms and illness following vaccination have been left in a very vulnerable position because of the lack of a comprehensive compensation scheme. While vaccines are safe and have allowed us to resume normal life there can sometimes be very rare adverse reactions to them and many countries have established Vaccine injury compensation schemes
Mr Moloney added “Vaccine Compensation Schemes encourage public confidence in vaccines and help reduce vaccine hesitancy. They also reduce the risk of costly, protracted and uncertain litigation for injured victims, vaccine manufacturers, the Irish State and the medical profession. Very Rare serious adverse vaccine reactions can be Guillain-Barre Syndrome, Transverse Myelitis, Brachial Neuritis, pericarditis and myocarditis, SIRVA (Shoulder injury resulting from Vaccine Administration), Encephalitis, Multiple Sclerosis and Arthritis”.
European countries that already have vaccine injury compensation schemes are Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Luxemburg, Norway, Russia, Latvia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Poland and Spain are currently considering introducing a scheme for people who sustain serious health complications after vaccination against Covid-19. These are generally no-fault schemes to compensate individuals who suffer very rare vaccine related injuries”.
Mr Moloney continued “it is often only after many months of medical investigations that people are given a definite diagnosis of vaccine related illness. They are then forced to sue for compensation for pain and suffering, mental distress, medical care costs, loss of earnings and travel costs because there is no scheme”.
Liam Moloney
Moloney Solicitors
045 898000 / 087 2726759
*In Contentious business a Solicitor may not charge fees based on a percentage of an award or settlement.
* This article is a legal commentary and has not been published to promote the taking of any compensation claims against the State
