New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday (March 10) directed the Union government to formulate a no-fault compensation policy for individuals who experience serious adverse events following Covid-19 vaccination.
A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta delivered the order while hearing petitions related to alleged deaths and severe reactions after Covid vaccination.
While issuing the direction, the court observed that the existing mechanism for monitoring and assessing adverse events following immunisation (AEFI) would continue to operate.
Justice Vikram Nath stated that there was no need to constitute a separate court-appointed expert body, as a scientific framework already exists to evaluate adverse events linked to vaccination.
The bench further clarified that individuals affected by such incidents would still be free to pursue other legal remedies available under the law.
The court also emphasised that the proposed no-fault compensation framework should not be interpreted as an admission of liability or wrongdoing by the Union government or any authority.
The verdict came while hearing petitions, including a plea claiming that two women died in 2021 after receiving the first dose of the Covishield vaccine, allegedly following severe adverse reactions after immunisation.
