The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, requested public comment on the planned Covid-19 blameless payment plan.
The goal of the plan is to offer quick and easy payment for others who suffer harm from a vaccine as a result of handling a Covid-19 vaccine.
The program is critical with the launch of covid-19 vaccination, Zuma said.
She said Health Minister Dr. Zweli Mkhize and Finance Minister Tito Mboweni will be in favor of establishing an account for the fund and establishing monetary control of the fund.
The fund shall consist of budget allocated by Act of Parliament for suitability or contingencies, under the terms of the Appropriations Act or the Financial Administration Act (FMAP), as well as budget from any other source.
With regard to monetary and plan control, the proposed Regulations provide that the Minister of Finance could give instructions, after consultation with the Minister of Health, in accordance with the Financial Administration Act.
Dlamini Zuma said the Ministry of Health will be in charge of administering the program.
What will be covered
The fund will cover a user who has suffered a vaccine injury by managing a Covid-19 vaccine that is:
Injuries caused by vaccines that will be covered through the plan come with serious injuries resulting in permanent or significant injuries, serious harm to a person’s health, other injuries, or death.
A panel will also determine which injuries would be causally connected to the use of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Mkhize will be to issue a separate directive stating:
The proposed Regulations also come with a number of regulations aimed at restricting the direct liability of vaccine manufacturers.
This includes blocking legal action against manufacturers, with all legal claims directed at the government and this new fund.
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