Japan Provides Compensation For Families Of Victims Of Death Related To COVID-19 Vaccination, Per Person Around IDR 4.8 Billion

PM Jepang Fumio Kishida menerima vaksin COVID-19. (Wikimedia Commons / Prime Minister's Office Homepage)

JAKARTA - A panel of the Japanese Ministry of Health has for the first time made lump-sum compensation payments to the family of an elderly woman who died after suffering an allergic response and sudden cardiac arrest, related to the COVID-19 vaccination.

The woman, who was 91 when she received the vaccination, had previous health problems, including transient ischemic attacks, according to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.

However, details have not been released about when he received the COVID-19 vaccine or how many injections he received, Kyodo News reported on July 26.

The panel on Monday ruled that a causal link between subsequent health problems and the vaccine was undeniable in the case.

A spokeswoman for the panel explained "a scientifically rigorous causal relationship is not necessary" in determining eligibility for redress.

In addition, the panel also evaluated 11 cases of people in their 20s to 90s who suffered adverse reactions, but delayed assessment.

Meanwhile, on Monday, 3.680 people had received applications for vaccine-related compensation, of which 850 were approved and 62 were rejected. Decisions for the other 16, with some cases involving deaths, were postponed.

Please note, under Japan's vaccination law, the COVID-19 vaccine is considered 'ad hoc'. Under the designation, those whose deaths can be causally linked to the vaccine can receive a lump sum compensation payment of 44.2 million yen (IDR 4.854.707.000) and a contribution of 212.000 yen (IDR 23.285.020) for funeral expenses.

A separate health ministry expert panel, which analyzes side effects, has received reports of more than 1.700 vaccine-related deaths from medical facilities, although no causal link has been acknowledged.