Post by : Shakul

In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court of India has directed the central government to formulate a no-fault compensation policy for individuals who experienced serious adverse effects following COVID-19 vaccination. The order came on March 10 after petitions filed by families who lost their daughters due to complications they alleged were linked to vaccines administered during the pandemic.

The case was brought before the court by two families whose daughters, aged 18 and 20, reportedly died after suffering severe side effects following COVID-19 vaccination in 2021. The petitioners sought accountability and compensation for those who experienced severe medical complications after receiving vaccines during the national immunisation drive led by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

In its judgment, the Supreme Court asked the government to create a structured compensation framework that would allow victims or their families to claim financial assistance without having to prove negligence or liability. The court emphasized that such a policy is necessary to ensure fairness and support for people who suffered rare but serious adverse reactions.

The bench also directed authorities to continue operating the monitoring system for vaccine-related adverse events. It said data regarding such cases should be regularly placed in the public domain to maintain transparency and public trust in vaccination programmes.

During the pandemic, India carried out one of the world’s largest vaccination campaigns using vaccines such as Covishield and Covaxin. Health experts have consistently maintained that serious side effects from these vaccines remain extremely rare, but the court noted that individuals who do suffer severe reactions deserve a clear pathway for compensation and support.

The ruling is expected to influence future public health policies in India by ensuring stronger safety monitoring systems and legal protection for citizens participating in large-scale vaccination programmes.

#India News #Survival #Lifestyle