Vaccine Injury Financial Assistance Programme (VIFAP) for COVID-19 vaccination

To protect our population against COVID-19 infection and the potentially serious health consequences of an infection, COVID-19 vaccination has been made free to all Singaporeans and long-term residents in Singapore under the National Vaccination Programme (NVP). While COVID-19 vaccination is voluntary, everyone who is medically eligible is strongly encouraged to get vaccinated.

COVID-19 vaccines that are recommended for use under the NVP were authorised under the Pandemic Special Access Route and/or have been registered under the Health Products Act, and assessed by the Expert Committee on COVID-19 Vaccination to be safe and efficacious. Like all vaccines, most people who receive the COVID-19 vaccines do not experience side effects. Some may experience mild symptoms, such as pain at the injection site and mild fever, that resolve on their own in a few days. In very rare instances, persons may experience serious side effects, such as a severe allergic reaction.

The Vaccine Injury Financial Assistance Programme for COVID-19 Vaccination (VIFAP) provides one-time goodwill financial assistance to persons who experienced serious side effects assessed to be caused by the COVID-19 vaccines received under the NVP.

Useful links

• Application for VIFAP

• Application for Reassessment for VIFAP

• VIFAP Request for Medical Information Form

Who may apply for VIFAP?

Singapore citizens, permanent residents or long-term pass holders who received the COVID-19 vaccine under the National Vaccination Programme, and who experienced a serious side effect assessed by a doctor to be caused by the COVID-19 vaccine, may apply for VIFAP.

Which vaccines are included under VIFAP?

COVID-19 vaccines administered under the National Vaccination Programme (NVP) and in accordance with the recommended dosing are included under the VIFAP. These include the (i) Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty, (ii) Moderna/Spikevax, and (iii) Novavax/Nuvaxovid vaccines. Sinovac-CoronaVac vaccinations received from 23 October 2021 to 30 September 2024 are included under the VIFAP.

COVID-19 vaccines received under the Private Vaccination Programme are not eligible for the VIFAP.

What is considered a ‘serious side effect’ that qualifies for VIFAP?

A serious side effect is one that required inpatient hospitalisation, or caused permanent severe disability, or was fatal. Persons who experienced such side effects after receiving the COVID-19 vaccination may apply for assistance. All applications will be reviewed by an independent clinical panel for the severity and relatedness of the side effect to the COVID-19 vaccine received.

How much financial assistance will be provided? Will it fully pay for the medical treatment attributed to the serious side effects caused by the vaccine?

The amount of financial assistance provided is fixed and dependent on the severity of the serious side effect, as indicated in the table below. Payout will be based on the highest quantum eligible, and persons will be eligible for one payout only (e.g. only $225,000 for death and permanent severe disability, regardless of hospital stay or treatment).

The VIFAP is a goodwill financial assistance scheme that is independent of existing healthcare financing and insurance schemes. The VIFAP provides an additional layer of financial support for patients who had suffered from serious side effects caused by the vaccine.

The VIFAP is not meant to reimburse medical costs associated with the serious side effect. Individuals who experienced side effects after their COVID-19 vaccination can continue to receive support through applicable healthcare financing schemes, such as MediShield Life and subsidies at our public healthcare institutions. Persons with private insurance may wish to check with their insurance provider on their coverage details.

How do I apply for VIFAP?

You may apply for VIFAP through online submission of applications.

All applications must be supported by the assessment of a medical doctor. As part of your submission, you are required to provide the 'Request for Medical Information' form [DOCX, 67 KB] which must be completed by your primary attending doctor.

Applications will not be processed in the absence of a completed Request for Medical Information form.

For persons under the age of 21 years, the application must be submitted by a parent or legal guardian. For persons under disability or deceased, the application may be submitted by a next-of-kin, donee, deputy or administrator on the vaccinated person’s behalf.

Applications must be submitted no later than 3 years from the date of occurrence of the serious side effect.

If you are unable to submit your application online, please contact the Ministry of Health hotline at 1800-333-9999, and a hardcopy application form will be mailed to you.

*Doctors have been informed that they should not charge any fees for the completion of the “Request for Medical Information” form. The Ministry of Health may contact your doctor directly if further clarifications or information are required. Applications with incomplete or insufficient information on the 'Request for Medical Information' form will not be processed.

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