A Deep Dive into Canada’s Vaccine Injury Support Program
A federal government program designed during the pandemic to compensate people who have been seriously and permanently injured by vaccines is “failing” and a “breach of trust,” say opposition parties.
The Investigation
A five-month-long Global News investigation of the Vaccine Injury Support Program (VISP) uncovered allegations that the company overseeing the program was unequipped to deliver fully on its mission. The investigation involved interviews with current and former employees, injured claimants, and their attorneys, revealing poor planning from the start.
The Government’s Response
The federal government has launched a compliance audit of the program and officials made a surprise visit to the company’s offices. Conservative MP Matt Strauss described the situation as a breach of trust, highlighting the backlog of claims that have not been processed.
Expert Opinions
Interim NDP Leader Don Davies and bioethicist Kerry Bowman expressed concerns over the handling of the program, with Bowman stating that the situation has been handled poorly. Both experts emphasized the impact on public trust and vaccine hesitancy.
- Claims of serious adverse events following COVID-19 vaccination: 11,702 reports
- Percentage of adverse events compared to doses administered: 0.011%
The Outsourcing Decision
Instead of the government operating the program, Canada outsourced the work to a consulting company, Oxaro Inc. Challenges arose soon after the program launched, with complaints of delays in processing claims and providing financial support to the injured.
Looking Ahead
Both opposition MPs called for transparency and accountability in the handling of the Vaccine Injury Support Program, drawing parallels to other government programs that have faced scrutiny. They emphasized the need for public servants to take over the program to ensure accountability.
As the government reviews the program’s future, the impact on public trust in public health initiatives remains a critical concern.
