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Government Takes Over Vaccine Compensation
1 Apr
Summary
- Federal agency assumes control of vaccine injury program administration.
- Third-party administrator's contract expired after scrutiny.
- Over $21 million compensated to 252 approved claims.
As of April 1, 2026, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has taken over the administration of the vaccine injury compensation program. This shift occurred after the contract with the former third-party administrator, Oxaro, expired. Oxaro had faced allegations of mismanagement and a high proportion of funds spent on administrative costs.
Investigations into Oxaro's handling of the program prompted an audit by Health Minister Marjorie Michel. PHAC will now manage the renamed vaccine impact assistance program, aiming to clear the existing backlog and improve process transparency. Quebec operates its own separate compensation program.
Since its launch in June 2021, the program has received 3,557 claims. As of December 1, 2025, over 3,000 claims proceeded to medical review, with 1,400 assessed. Compensation totaling over $21 million has been distributed to 252 individuals with approved claims.
