New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India has instructed the central government to create a compensation framework for individuals who experienced severe side effects after receiving COVID-19 vaccines. The court emphasised that the mechanism should ensure timely relief for those who suffered serious health complications following vaccination.
In its direction, the court asked the government to design a “no-fault compensation” system, meaning affected individuals would be eligible for financial support without having to prove negligence or wrongdoing by vaccine manufacturers or healthcare providers.
The bench noted that while vaccination played a crucial role in protecting public health during the pandemic, there must also be a system to assist the small number of people who faced severe adverse reactions after immunisation.
According to the order, the proposed mechanism should be implemented through the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The ministry has been asked to formulate an appropriate framework that can evaluate cases of serious post-vaccination complications and determine compensation where required.
The court highlighted that several countries have already adopted similar compensation models to support individuals who experience rare but serious vaccine-related injuries. Such systems aim to provide financial assistance and medical support while maintaining public confidence in national immunisation programmes.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, India carried out one of the world’s largest vaccination drives, administering billions of doses across the country. Health authorities have consistently maintained that vaccines significantly reduced the severity of infections and saved countless lives.
However, the court observed that a structured compensation mechanism would address concerns of those who suffered rare but serious health consequences after vaccination. It stressed that establishing such a system would demonstrate the government’s commitment to both public health and individual welfare.
Officials are now expected to begin drafting the policy framework, which will outline procedures for reporting, reviewing and compensating cases linked to severe adverse events following immunisation. Once implemented, the system is likely to provide a formal pathway for affected individuals to seek support from the government.
