The World Health Organization (WHO) and Chubb Limited, through ESIS Inc, a Chubb company, signed an agreement on behalf of the COVAX Facility on February 17, 2021 for the administration of a no-fault compensation programme for the 92 low- and middle-income countries and economies eligible for support via the Gavi COVAX Advance Market Commitment (AMC) of the COVAX Facility.

The programme will offer eligible individuals in AMC-eligible countries and economies a fast, fair, robust and transparent process to receive compensation for rare but serious adverse events associated with COVAX-distributed vaccines until 30 June 2022. By providing a no-fault lump-sum compensation in full and final settlement of any claims.

“This no-fault compensation mechanism helps to ensure that people in AMC-eligible countries and economies can benefit from the cutting-edge science that has delivered COVID-19 vaccines in record time,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, WHO.

“The no-fault compensation fund is a massive boost for COVAX’s goal of equitable global access to vaccines: by providing a robust, transparent and independent mechanism to settle serious adverse events it helps those in countries who might have such effects,” said Dr Seth Berkley, CEO, Gavi.

The COVAX no-fault compensation programme will be operationalised through its web portal (www.covaxclaims.com) by March 31, 2021.

The programme is financed initially through Gavi COVAX AMC donor funding.

WHO is working with Chubb to secure insurance coverage for the programme with Chubb as lead insurer.

“Chubb is proud and honoured to work with the World Health Organization and its partners on the critically important COVAX programme,” said Evan G Greenberg, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Chubb.