Govt. to Compensate for Problems with Inoculation Methods of H1N1 Vaccine

Written By: guyjin on October 8, 2009 No Comment

The Japanese government already has a system for compensating people that become ill as a result of side effects from mandatory vaccination programs, but according to an AP story today they are expected to extend this program for the new influenza vaccinations that are to begin this month.

Under the current system, the government provides compensation of around 7 million yen for a death, and up to 2.7 million yen per year for serious disabilities that result from seasonal flu vaccinations. However, where these vaccinations are voluntary, compensation is not paid for complications arising from inappropriate inoculation methods in hospitals. This is only covered for mandatory vaccination programs.

In an attempt to encourage more people to take up the vaccinations, the government is planning to extend coverage to inoculation methods as well for H1N1 influenza vaccinations, even though this will not be a mandatory vaccine.

The government also intends to cover court fees and any resulting damages payable by importers and overseas manufacturers of the vaccines. All of this will be included in a bill to be introduced at the extraordinary Diet session later this year.

It was also announced a few weeks ago that the government will be able to prepare enough vaccines for about 27 .7 million people, which means that children up to lower elementary school age will be able to be included under the prioritized system established by the government.

The first level of priority vaccinations includes the roughly 1 million medical staff around the country, including rescue workers. This group is followed by about 1 million pregnant women, and a further 900,000 people with existing conditions that would make them susceptible to the H1N1 flu. Then there are some 600,000 non-school-aged children over 1 year old, and the parents of the 200,000 children under 1 year of age. Further prioritized groups include 14 million elementary and junior high school students and some 21 million people aged 65 or older. Vaccinations for medical staff are expected to begin within the next few weeks, followed by pregnant women in November, other high risk people and young children by December, and then school students some time in February.

I hope that all of the preparations end up not being necessary in the end, and hope that all of the build up over the H1N1 virus ends up as being a whole lot about nothing. But if it does turn dangerous, it remains to be seen if the efforts that the government have made to protect those most vulnerable will be enough. In the end, vaccinations will cover about 1/5 of the population, but it has been a struggle to get up to that number. I’m sure after this is all over there will be discussions about whether or not the government moved fast enough (and hopefully we will be able to sit back and feel like it was a lot of preparation for few major problems…)…