Should Australia introduce a vaccine injury compensation scheme?

Abstract

At least a dozen countries or states in the world have introduced vaccine injury compensation schemes. This paper argues that the Australian Government should introduce such a scheme, which may reduce litigation, and may improve consumer and provider confidence. The most important justification, however, is an ethical argument from justice and equity: introduction of a vaccine injury compensation scheme acknowledges the unique situation that routine childhood immunization is a public health measure, given and accepted in good faith, that may occasionally damage the recipient.