Ross Wightman is one of 10 people who have been hospitalized with Guillain-Barré syndrome less than 30 days after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine since December 2020, according to the British Columbia Center for Infectious Diseases (BCCDC). .
Resident of Lake Countryin interior British Columbia, he developed the rare autoimmune disease just days after receiving his first and only dose of AstraZeneca’s vaccine.
Due to this condition which attacks the nervous system, Ross Wightman was partially paralyzed.
Since his paralysis, he celebrates all the small victories, like climbing the stairs alone and going for a walk alone near his house.
His biggest victory, however, is the receipt of an email from this support program for Canadian victims of vaccination, which validated that his condition was probably caused by the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine against COVID-19.
It’s very satisfying
said Ross Wightman.
” To have it black on white, on a piece of paper, that they give me reason, it’s very satisfying. Every day is hard and [la lettre] doesn’t change my condition, but it’s still satisfying to have it. »
Ross Wightman is one of the first Canadians to be approved for compensation under this program. This means that the medical examination committee has determined that there is a probable link between the injury and the vaccine, and that the injury is serious and permanent
.
The compensation granted by the PSVV can go up to $284,000, according to him. Without wanting to reveal the amount he will receive, the man specifies that he will not receive the maximum. He adds that he is also eligible for income replacement indemnities of up to $90,000 per year.
According to the most recent data from the PSVVless than five claims have been approved by the program’s medical review committee, which has been accepting them since June 1, 2021. It is open to all vaccinated people in Canada, except Quebec, which has its own compensation program.
In rare cases, the inoculation of the anti-COVID vaccine from the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca can be followed by thrombosis.
Photo: Reuters/LEONHARD FOEGER
Compensation program
Before the pandemic, Canada was the only G7 country without a vaccine injury compensation program.
The development of the offset program was driven by the national COVID-19 immunization plan, says Dr. Kumanan Wilson, an intern at The Ottawa Hospital who was consulted as an expert during the development of the offset program. program.
Dr. Wilson is also the CEO of CANImmunize, the technology company behind the digital vaccine counting platform, and an expert in vaccine hesitancy.
We told people they had to get vaccinated, and in many cases compulsory vaccinations were imposed
he says. We need to keep our word and make sure these individuals are treated fairly if something bad happens.
” I am a firm believer in vaccine safety. They are the subject of three rigorous clinical trials, but rare exceptions may occur and in these cases these individuals should be supported. »
According to Dr. Wilson, the risks of a COVID-19 infection are much greater than the risks of a bad reaction to vaccines.
When developing the support program, it was a challenge to determine what should be considered a serious illness associated with a vaccine, says Dr. Wilson. He is happy to learn that Guillain-Barré syndrome, which has been the subject of debate, is among the conditions for which compensation is offered.
If recipients are not satisfied with the compensation received under the program, it is possible for them to appeal the decision
explains the doctor. I believe there will be many modifications and adaptations made based on early complaints.
Based on information from Jon Hernandez
Reference-ici.radio-canada.ca