Vietnam’s health ministry proposes compensation of $3,800 for severe adverse events after mandatory vaccination

The proposal is part of a draft decree detailing the implementation of several provisions of the Law on Disease Prevention.

The draft was presented on Friday during a workshop in Hanoi organized by the Department of Preventive Medicine under the ministry to disseminate the new law and gather feedback on the decree and related guiding circulars.

Compensation for severe vaccine-related incidents

According to officials from the department, the draft decree introduces, for the first time, a framework for compensating individuals who experience severe health consequences linked to vaccination.

Under the proposal, people subject to mandatory vaccination who suffer serious complications leading to permanent disability or death would be eligible for compensation funded by the state.

For cases in which vaccination results in lasting disability, compensation would amount to 30 times the base salary, in addition to reimbursement for medical examination and treatment costs as well as compensation for lost or reduced income.

In fatal cases, compensation would include medical expenses incurred before death, funeral costs equivalent to 10 times the base salary, and financial support of VND100 million for emotional damages to the victim’s family.

Compensation may also cover income losses and other related expenses.

The draft also outlines procedures for investigating and determining the cause of serious adverse events following vaccination.

Within five working days of receiving an investigation report on a severe post-vaccination incident, province-level health authorities must compile documentation and convene a professional advisory council to assess the cause.

The council’s conclusion will serve as the basis for determining whether the incident qualifies for state compensation.

Groups subject to mandatory vaccination

According to Hoang Minh Duc, director of the department, the draft decree establishes two categories of vaccination in disease prevention: mandatory vaccination and voluntary vaccination.

Mandatory vaccination would apply to two main groups.

The first group includes individuals covered by the national expanded program on immunization, such as children, pregnant women, and people at risk of infectious diseases listed in the program for which vaccines or biological products are available.

The second group includes individuals required to be vaccinated during disease control efforts.

These may include people at risk of infection in outbreak areas, healthcare workers directly diagnosing and treating infectious disease patients, personnel involved in monitoring and investigating outbreaks, and laboratory staff handling infectious agents.

The prime minister may also decide to expand the list of mandatory vaccination groups based on recommendations from the Ministry of Health.

The draft further specifies that individuals considered at risk of infectious diseases will be identified through a vaccine and biological product advisory council established by the Minister of Health.

Individuals with medical contraindications, as defined in professional guidelines, will not be required to receive vaccinations.

Post-licensing inspections of vaccination facilities

In addition, the draft introduces regulations on post-licensing inspections of vaccination facilities to ensure safety standards are maintained after operations begin.

This is the first time such a requirement has been included in the Law on Disease Prevention.

Under the proposal, within 90 days after a vaccination facility publicly declares that it meets the required conditions to operate, provincial health authorities must conduct inspections to verify compliance.

Provincial health authorities must inspect these facilities at least once every three years to ensure ongoing adherence to vaccination safety regulations.