Indemnity Fund for Adverse Events Following Immunization with Coronavirus Disease-2019 Vaccines

Finance Committee of the Legislative Council has approved to set up an Indemnity Fund for Adverse Events Following Immunization with Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) Vaccines (AEFI Fund). The Fund is to provide financial support to eligible individuals who have proof of suffering unexpected serious adverse events (SAEs) (including death and serious injury) associated with COVID-19 vaccine administered under the Government's COVID-19 Vaccination Programme.

Following the cessation of the arrangement for emergency use of COVID-19 vaccines by midnight on 23 December 2023 and the normal use of COVID-19 vaccines in Hong Kong under the regular regulatory system for pharmaceutical products, the AEFI Fund arrangement will end at the same time. The AEFI Fund will cease accepting new applications involving COVID-19 vaccines administrated on or after 24 December 2023. In other words, cases involving COVID-19 vaccines administered at or after midnight on December 23 will be ineligible to apply for the AEFI Fund.

The AEFI Fund does not cover COVID-19 vaccination administered by private doctors outside the Government's COVID-19 Vaccination Programme.

People who suffer unexpected SAEs associated with a vaccine should seek help from medical professionals. People should pay close attention to the health condition and seek medical assistance if feels unwell after vaccination. In seeking medical consultation, make sure to tell the healthcare professionals about the vaccination details and show them the vaccination record card if available. The healthcare professionals will offer advice, manage the health condition and make proper assessment for reporting to the Department of Health any adverse event following immunisation that is deemed medically significant.

All SAEs should be reported by medical professionals through the platform of Department of Health. After a report arising from an SAE is received, Expert Committee on Clinical Events Assessment following COVID-19 Immunization will conduct causality assessment. The affected individual will be eligible for a lump-sum payment at a level corresponding to the event under the Fund if the below two conditions are met –

1. there is certification by a registered medical practitioner of the SAE; and
2. the evaluation outcome of the Expert Committee cannot rule out that the event is not associated with the administration of a vaccine under the Government’s COVID-19 Vaccination Programme.

For (1), as an additional safeguard, the affected individual may be required to undergo medical examination by public sector doctors if necessary.

Third-party Administrator

AXA China Region Insurance Company Limited (AXA Hong Kong) is the third-party Administrator appointed by the Government to process the application of the AEFI Fund, and is responsible for:

1. Processing applications for the AEFI Fund;
2. Vetting of documents;
3. Severity Assessment of the SAE and recommending corresponding payout level;
4. Handling public enquires, complaints, and review requests regarding the decision on the AEFI Fund applications, etc.; and
5. Preparing necessary documents to facilitate the payout by the Government.

Instead of AXA Hong Kong (Administrator), it is the role of the Expert Committee on Clinical Events Assessment following COVID-19 Immunization to establish the causality relationship between the Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFIs) and COVID-19 vaccines.

For enquiry, please contact the Administrator of the AEFI Fund at telephone number: 2894 4699 (Service Hours: Mon-Fri 09:00 – 17:30, except Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays) or by email:fund_administrator@axa.com.hk. For details about eligibility, documents needed, download application form and means for submitting application, etc., please click here.

AEFI Fund Application Overview