The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday (March 10, 2026) directed the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to create a no-fault compensation policy for people who suffer serious side effects after receiving COVID-19 vaccines.
The order was issued by a Bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta while hearing a petition related to deaths and serious health issues allegedly linked to COVID-19 vaccination.
The petition was filed by families who claimed that some people had died or developed severe medical complications after vaccination. These cases were described as Adverse Events Following Immunisation (AEFI). The petitioners asked the court to ensure that affected families receive proper compensation and support from the government.
While hearing the matter, the court noted that vaccination programmes are essential for public health and protecting society from dangerous diseases. However, in rare cases where people suffer serious side effects, there should be a fair and transparent system to support the victims and their families.
The court said that a no-fault compensation system would allow people to receive financial assistance without having to prove negligence or wrongdoing by vaccine manufacturers or health authorities. Such systems exist in several countries and are meant to provide quick and fair compensation to people who face serious adverse reactions after vaccination.
The judges directed the Union government to study the issue carefully and frame a clear policy for compensation. The court also stressed that the policy should balance public confidence in vaccination programmes while ensuring justice for those who experience rare but serious side effects.
Health experts say that serious adverse reactions to vaccines are extremely rare, and vaccines remain one of the most effective tools to prevent disease outbreaks. During the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of people across India were vaccinated as part of one of the largest immunisation drives in the world.
The proposed compensation policy is expected to strengthen trust in public health programmes while ensuring that people affected by rare adverse events are not left without support.