Compensation and redress for vaccine-related adverse events

Vaccinations are among the most effective means of protecting yourself, your children and others from certain infectious diseases. Nevertheless, in very rare cases, severe side effects can occur. If you have been affected by an adverse event, you can apply to the federal government for compensation or redress for resulting costs that are not covered elsewhere (e.g. by an insurer).

Articles 64 to 69 of the Epidemics Act (EpidA; SR 818.101) outline the conditions and procedures for receiving financial compensation and/or redress from the government for vaccine-related adverse events.

Vaccine-related adverse events include loss of earnings, for example, or costs incurred for home assistance or prescribed medical treatments that are not covered by health insurance. Vaccine-related adverse events do not include financial consequences resulting from mild side effects (such as redness, swelling or hardening at the injection site, headaches, muscle aches, or fever) that result in costs for medication or a doctor’s consultation.

Compensation covers material damages, such as costs for medical treatment and loss of income. Redress, on the other hand, is a form of compensation for suffering due to severe impairments caused by a vaccine injury (non-material damages).

Who is entitled to compensation or redress?

Compensation or redress for vaccine-related adverse events may be considered if:

  • The vaccination was carried out in Switzerland and was officially recommended (vaccinations),
  • the vaccination led to a health impairment that is most likely related to the vaccination,
  • the health impairment had negative financial consequences (i.e. a reduction in assets),
  • the damage (material and immaterial) is not already covered by third parties (subsidiary liability), such as a doctor, the vaccine manufacturer or an insurance provider.

All of these criteria must be met together.

Please note: Costs that the affected person must pay themselves due to a deductible or excess are not covered.

To qualify for redress, it must also be demonstrated that the health impairment had severe consequences (e.g. extended hospital stay, long-term inability to work, prolonged psychological effects or suffering).

How to make a claim

Individuals seeking financial compensation from the federal government for vaccine-related adverse events can submit a claim to the Federal Department of Home Affairs, General Secretariat, Inselgasse 1, 3003 Bern. The claim form must be completed in full and submitted together with the required supporting documents. Furthermore, the claim must be submitted before the individual turns 21 or within five years after receiving the vaccination.

For more information on the topic of vaccine-related adverse events, please refer to the leaflet below.

Important: If you would like to report a suspected case of an adverse drug reaction, please contact Swissmedic directly.

Documents

818.1 Federal Act on the Control of Communicable Human Diseases (Epidemics Act, EpidA)

Ordinance on the Control of Communicable Human Diseases (Epidemics Ordinance, EpidO)