Three things you need to know about the Covid-19 Compensation Scheme

By Kaya 959 News

As the government prepares to continue the roll out of the Sisonke Programme, there are some things you need to know should you get ill after getting your jab.

Yesterday Dr Zweli Mkhize announced that after a voluntary pause after eight American women reported blood clotting issues, the government decided to halt the roll out.

On April 23, Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma gazetted the Covid-19 Vaccine Injury No-fault Compensation Scheme. The Compensation Scheme will provide access to compensation for persons who suffer harm, loss, or damage as a result of vaccine injury caused by the administration of a Covid-19 vaccine administered at a registered facility within SA.

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Here are three things you need to know about the Scheme:

1. It is a rubber stamp of government’s commitment to protecting all citizens.

Mkhize said the government is ensuring that there is adequate recourse for anyone who may suffer from a severe or serious adverse event following vaccination.

“We will soon publish the directions and forms along with a step by step guideline,” he said.

2. You will not need a lawyer to be able to engage the No Fault Compensation Scheme.

Mkhize said if you experience a severe or serious adverse event from a Covid-19 vaccine, all you will need to do is get the form from your nearest health facility or from the Department of Health website, fill it in and send it to the address (either email or physical) that will be clearly indicated on the form.

3. Independent committees, made up of scientists, clinicians, legal and other experts will then evaluate your claim.

Mkhize said the teams will determine the severity or seriousness of the event and if they determine the condition is from a registered Covid vaccine, they will recommend the appropriate recourse and compensation.

“We believe that the government and claimants should be able to interact directly without third party assistance to make it easier for anyone to claim and to ensure that the compensation is awarded in an efficient manner,” he said.

Mkhize said SA has secured enough doses to vaccinate at least 45m people living in the country.

“In addition, we will have received over 650 000 doses of Pfizer before 17 May, with a further 325 560 arriving in the week of 17 May. We are therefore more than ready to begin phase two on time,” he said.

Phase 2 will see the vaccination of essential workers, persons 60 and over and those 18 and over who have comorbidities.

The National Institute of Communicable Diseases said the final phase will target 22,5 million members of the population over the age of 18-years. The target is to vaccinate 67% of the population by the end of 2021, in order to achieve herd immunity.

A national register for Covid-19 vaccinations, the Electronic Vaccination Data System (EVDS), will be based on a pre-vaccination registration and appointment system.

The NICD said all those vaccinated will be placed on a national register and provided with a vaccination card. A national rollout committee will oversee the vaccine implementation in both the public and private sectors.

Written by: Anthea

Coronavirus vaccine COVID-19