The World Health Organization and Chubb Limited have agreed on a no-fault compensation scheme for COVID-19 vaccinations for low- and middle-income countries.
The new programme from WHO and Chubb will make compensation available to eligible individuals for COVID-19 vaccination injuries without the need to resort to law courts. The agreement was signed on behalf of the COVAX Facility.
The scheme is the first, and currently the only, vaccine injury compensation mechanism operating on an international scale, and will offer eligible individuals in Advanced Market Commitment (AMC) eligible countries and economies a fast, fair, robust, and transparent process to receive compensation for rare but serious adverse events associated with COVAX-distributed vaccines until 30 June 2022.
A world first
It will provide a no-fault lump-sum compensation in full as well as a final settlement of any claims. ESIS, as the independent administrator of the programme, was selected in accordance with WHO’s procurement rules and procedures and charges no fees to applicants.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, said: “The unprecedented nature of the COVID-19 pandemic has been matched by the largest ever rollout of new vaccines under the ACT-Accelerator and its vaccines pillar, COVAX. This no-fault compensation mechanism helps to ensure that people in AMC-eligible countries and economies can benefit from the cutting-edge science that has delivered COVID-19 vaccines in record time.
“We are pleased to be collaborating with Chubb, which has the capabilities to support the COVAX facility through its global network and claims handling ability. WHO’s agreement with Chubb offers further protection and confidence in the life-saving power of vaccines.”
“The No-Fault Compensation fund is a massive boost for COVAX’s goal of equitable global access to vaccines: by providing a robust, transparent and independent mechanism to settle serious adverse events it helps those in countries who might have such effects, manufacturers to roll out vaccines to countries faster, and is a key benefit for lower-income governments procuring vaccines through the Gavi COVAX AMC,” said Dr Seth Berkley, CEO of Gavi.
The COVAX no-fault compensation programme will be operationalised through its web portal by 31 March 2021 and is financed initially through Gavi COVAX AMC donor funding.
Programme insurance
The WHO is working with Chubb to secure insurance coverage for the programme with Chubb as lead insurer.
Evan Greenberg, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Chubb, said: “Chubb is proud and honoured to work with the World Health Organization and its partners on the critically important COVAX programme.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating effect on people and economies around the globe, and the development and deployment of efficacious vaccines is a crucial step toward ending this crisis. However, a vaccination strategy is only as effective as the number of people it reaches, which is why the COVAX facility is so critical. Access to the protection offered by a vaccine should not be limited or restricted. All countries, regardless of income levels, should have equal access to these life-saving vaccines.”
