30 Million Won Compensation Committee Reviews 223 Small-Amount Cases Under 300,000 Won
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] The government has decided to provide additional compensation for 183 suspected cases of adverse reactions following COVID-19 vaccination. As a result, the total number of cases approved for compensation after review since April has reached 353.
On the 18th, Kwon Jun-wook, the 2nd Deputy Director of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, stated at the regular COVID-19 briefing, "On the 15th, the 3rd COVID-19 Vaccination Damage Compensation Expert Committee was held to review 223 cases with compensation claims under 300,000 KRW, which were suspected adverse reactions after COVID-19 vaccination. After reviewing causality and eligibility for compensation, compensation was approved for 183 cases." He added, "Thus, from the 1st to the 3rd committee meetings, a total of 422 cases have been reviewed, with 353 cases approved for compensation."
The Compensation Committee did not approve compensation for 40 cases where there was no causal relationship between vaccination and adverse reactions or where the likelihood of occurrence due to factors other than vaccination was higher.
Accordingly, the total number of cases approved for compensation since April is 353. Among these, 12 cases involved claims exceeding 300,000 KRW and underwent 'regular review,' while the remainder were small-amount review cases.
Additionally, the COVID-19 Vaccination Response Task Force has established a medical expense support program for severe patients excluded from compensation due to insufficient evidence of causality after COVID-19 vaccination. This program provides up to 10 million KRW per person for medical expenses. The evaluation criteria are: 'Adverse reactions occurring after vaccination where underlying diseases or genetic disorders that could cause such reactions before vaccination are unclear, and although the time interval between vaccination and adverse reaction is plausible, there is little literature recognizing causality between the vaccine and the adverse reaction.'
So far, a total of seven individuals have been confirmed as eligible for support. Among them, medical expense support procedures are underway for three cases that have applied for assistance.
Deputy Director Kwon stated, "Regarding adverse reactions that inevitably occur due to vaccination, compensation will be promptly provided for damages recognized as causally related according to international standards." He added, "Since June, the review cycle has been shortened to twice a month to enable faster compensation." He emphasized, "We will continue to expand the scope of compensation for additional adverse reactions recognized as causally related based on international trends and our country's adverse reaction surveillance results."
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