The AVAT No Fault Compensation Scheme for Participating Member States provides no-fault lump-sum compensation in full and final settlement of any claims to individuals who have suffered a Serious Adverse Event resulting in permanent impairment or death associated with a COVID-19 vaccine procured or distributed under the AVAT Framework, or the administration of such a Vaccine, within any of the Participating Member States.

In this section you will find:

  • General information about the Program.
  • The Program Protocol which sets out the rules of the Program and outlines the eligibility requirements for compensation and the application process.
  • The Schedules to the Program Protocol, which contain additional information about the Program and the additional forms that can be downloaded and submitted alongside the Application Form.

About the Program

A summary of general information about the Program. Please ensure you also read the Program Protocol which contains the detailed rules of the Program and the process of how to make an Application.

Program Protocol

The Program Protocol sets outs the procedures and terms and conditions that apply to the Program. Before submitting an Application for compensation under the Program, you should read the Program Protocol and its Schedules carefully.

Schedules and Other Documents

Download and print various forms and other documents that are applicable to the Program including the Supporting Evidence Form which must be submitted for an application to be complete.

AVAT No Fault Compensation Scheme

A pan-African and pan-Caribbean no fault compensation program established by the AVAT NFCS Trust and administered by the Administrator with the aim of providing compensation to Patients who suffer an Injury (the most likely cause of such Injury (based on the balance of probabilities) being the result of a Vaccine or its administration, without the need for the Patient to demonstrate a defect in the relevant Vaccine or any fault by any person.

Participating Member State

Any AU Member State or CARICOM State that has elected to participate in the AVAT No Fault Compensation Scheme and “Participating Member States” shall mean all such states that have elected to participate in the AVAT No Fault Compensation Scheme.

Serious Adverse Event

A serious untoward medical occurrence that (i) is sustained or suffered by a Patient following the administration of a Vaccine, and (ii) results in an Injury, as defined in the Program's Protocol.

AVAT Framework

A mechanism structured by AVATT in collaboration with the African Export-Import Bank to establish a pan-African centralized procurement platform to ensure Africa’s access to COVID-19 vaccines by creating AVAT and providing assurance for the payment to identified vaccine manufacturers.

Vaccine

A COVID-19 vaccine received in any Participating Member State through the AVAT Framework that:

  1. either (A) has licensure or authorization from a stringent (“functional”) regulatory authority or (B) has received WHO prequalification, following licensure or authorization from a stringent (“functional”) regulatory authority, or (C) has been issued authorization for emergency use based on licensure or authorization by a stringent (“functional”) regulatory authority; and
  2. is included in Schedule 1 to the Program's Protocol, as updated from time to time; and
  3. has received all required approvals and authorizations for importation, distribution, and use in the relevant Participating Member State; and
  4. has not reached its Scope of Coverage Endpoint.
Program

The AVAT No Fault Compensation Scheme, as detailed in the Protocol and its Schedules.

Application

A written claim for compensation completed by an Applicant on the application form approved by and provided by the Administrator, as set forth in Schedule 2 to the Program's Protocol, which must be accompanied by all Supporting Evidence, using the prescribed form in Schedule 3 to the Program’s Protocol.

Supporting Evidence

The supporting evidence, using the form in Schedule 3 to the Program's Protocol, required to evaluate an Application and that shall include:

  1. detailed medical documentation from a Registered Health Professional describing the Injury and medical treatment required as a result of the Injury, together with details of any Hospitalization or prolonged Hospitalization, including but not limited to admission and discharge records;
  2. a description of the nature, extent, functional impact and prognosis of the Injury, as assessed by the Registered Health Professional.
  3. a statement from the Registered Health Professional that the Injury was, in the Registered Health Professional’s opinion, the result of the Vaccine or its administration;
  4. certification from a Registered Health Professional of when, where and which Vaccine was administered;
  5. in the case of death, a death certificate and any other documentation available from a Registered Health Professional of the cause and manner of death; and
  6. any further evidence that the Administrator may deem necessary to adjudicate the Application, and/or Receivable Claim, as applicable, guided, as appropriate, by the Scientific Advisory Committee, the Review Panel, and/or the Appeals Panel.