Government "Comprehensive Compensation Review for Adverse Reactions After Vaccination"

"Review of Diagnostic Criteria for Related Compensation in 25 Countries"

On the 2nd, a medical staff member at Mapo-gu Public Health Center in Seoul is busy filling syringes with the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine ahead of vaccination for the heads of health and medical organizations. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] As cases of adverse reactions following COVID-19 vaccination continue to emerge, there are calls for the government to provide more comprehensive protection. In response, authorities stated that they are "considering measures to comprehensively compensate for various adverse reactions that have not yet been identified."

On the 23rd, Jo Eun-hee, head of the Post-Vaccination Management Team at the COVID-19 Vaccination Response Promotion Group, said at the regular briefing of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, "The procedure for compensation for vaccination damage involves recognizing causality (with the vaccine), and if the guardian files claims for nursing care expenses and other medical costs, payment is made after review." She added, "Since the COVID-19 vaccine is a newly developed vaccine, we are continuously reviewing with experts the parts where comprehensive compensation is not yet provided for various adverse reactions that have not been identified."

The day before, the Korean Medical Association stated that regarding a nurse assistant in her 40s who developed limb paralysis after receiving the AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine, the authorities should take an active and comprehensive protective approach rather than strictly determining causality. The association argued, "If causality is strictly determined for side effects after COVID-19 vaccination in the same way as with existing flu vaccines, it would place a heavy burden on both the public who need to be vaccinated and the medical staff administering the vaccines." They urged, "The government should recognize and compensate for adverse reactions more comprehensively, and before determining causality, ensure that those suspected of adverse reactions can receive sufficient treatment first."

Regarding this, Jo said, "There are 25 countries worldwide that provide related compensation, but each country has different standards for compensation systems." She continued, "We are reviewing the diagnostic criteria of relevant countries and considering which approach is more comprehensive." She added, "Once international trends and the comprehensive aspects of various unidentified adverse reactions become more concrete, we will announce updates."

In the case of the nurse assistant in her 40s, an investigation into causality is currently underway. However, considering that the compensation review process takes time, the authorities have expressed their intention to initially link the case to existing welfare programs to provide medical expense support.

Jo explained, "Compensation is only provided when causality is determined for adverse reactions to vaccination, so those who suffer from nursing care costs or various hardships before that can use other systems as part of welfare policies." She added, "It is just a matter of consultation between welfare-related ministries and local governments to determine whether the individual qualifies for related policies and, if so, to enable their use."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.