STA, 19 November 2021 - The government has proposed a compensation scheme for those who have suffered serious health damage as a result of a Covid-19 vaccine. "The introduction of liability for damages is key to maintaining confidence in the vaccines and ensuring the effective implementation of the national vaccination programme," Health Minister Poklukar said on Friday.
As is the case with all medicines, vaccines can cause serious side effects in very rare cases, but the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks of serious consequences.
The government is therefore proposing compensation for people who have suffered damage to their health as a result of using provisionally authorised medicinal products against Covid-19.
However, damage resulting from professional inaccuracy in vaccination or from inadequate vaccine quality will not be covered, Health Minister Poklukar explained at Friday's press conference.
Compensation would apply in cases where vaccination or treatment results in permanent and serious health consequences. A special commission would assess eligibility.
In accordance with the infectious diseases act, compensation of EUR 60,000 would be paid to those who suffer a serious and permanent reduction in their vital functions after vaccination.
The parents of a child or the spouse or civil partner of a person who died after vaccination would receive EUR 10,000, while underage children of a person who died after vaccination would receive EUR 20,000.
The proposal for the compensation scheme was included in the draft act on additional measures against the Covid-19 epidemic and its consequences, which was confirmed by the government today.
The legislation stipulates that the Health Ministry should be able to order institutions within the public health network to prioritise treatment according to needs.
The financing of remote medical treatment and the option of using sick leave without a certificate of authorised absence will be extended, until 28 February 2022.
The government also proposes a more detailed regulation of the recovered-vaccinated-tested protocol (PCT), rules on wearing masks and other measures to control the epidemic.
Poklukar said that the proposed act would enable government by decree in situations like the present, when there is a serious risk of a rapid spread of an infectious disease and some issues are not covered by existing legislation.
