Shocking News: Millions of Canadians Injured by Vaccine Could Finally Claim $1 Billion in Compensation!

Canadians who have been waiting for their vaccine injury claims to be processed may soon see relief. Minister of Health Marjorie Michel announced that beginning April 1, 2026, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) will take over the administration of the Vaccine Impact Assistance Program (VIAP). This program was previously managed by the third-party administrator, Oxaro, and was known as the Vaccine Injury Support Program.

The VIAP is designed for individuals who have experienced a “serious and permanent injury” from a Health Canada-authorized vaccine administered in Canada since December 8, 2020. Eligible individuals can submit claims for compensation, a vital lifeline for those affected by adverse vaccine reactions.

Launched in June 2021, the program began accepting claims following the rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations in Canada. As of now, PHAC aims to tackle the existing backlog of applications while enhancing the consistency and transparency of the claims process. “We recognize that people who apply to this program are going through a difficult time. That’s why the Government of Canada is taking meaningful steps — via the new Vaccine Impact Assistance Program — to make the program more supportive,” Michel stated.

Initially, the federal government contracted Oxaro to administer the Vaccine Injury Support Program with a budget of $50 million over five years. However, this agreement concluded on March 31, 2026, prompting the transition to the new VIAP.

Canadians who have already submitted claims to the former program need not worry, as these claims will be automatically transferred to the new VIAP. PHAC's upcoming improvements include a digital client portal aimed at making the application process more user-friendly. Once operational, this portal will allow applicants to:

• Check the status of their application in real time
• View documents and information related to their file
• Update certain contact or personal information directly
• Upload key documents securely

During the pandemic, over 105 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines were administered in Canada between December 2020 and 2023. According to Health Canada data, adverse effects from these vaccines were extremely rare, with only 58,712 adverse events reported, equating to about 0.056% of all doses given. Among these cases, 11,702 were categorized as serious, representing a mere 0.011% of all vaccinations.

For Canadians navigating the claims process, this shift in administration might bring some much-needed clarity and support. As the PHAC prepares to roll out these improvements, individuals affected by vaccine injuries may find that their claims are processed more efficiently and transparently, reflecting the government’s commitment to addressing their needs.

For any further information about the new Vaccine Impact Assistance Program, interested individuals can visit the PHAC's official website.