Migrants Denied COVID-19 Vaccination as Major Manufacturers Worried About Legal Risks From Harmful Side Effects

BRUSSELS/BANGKOK, Dec 16 (Reuters) - Tens of millions of migrants may be denied COVID-19 vaccines from a global programme because some major manufacturers are worried about legal risks from harmful side effects, according to officials and internal documents from Gavi, the charity operating the programme, reviewed by Reuters.

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Unless all the firms accept legal liability, "access to vaccines for some populations will remain a challenge," the Gavi documents say, adding that new crises will generate additional demand to cover displaced populations.

The vaccine makers' reluctance to take on the legal risks is "a major hurdle" in attempts to provide vaccines for the buffer, a spokesperson for Gavi told Reuters.

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Many governments and international agencies have set up compensation schemes to reimburse victims and avoid lengthy litigation. An emergency law invoked by the U.S. government provides legal immunity for drug companies for side effects from their COVID-19 vaccines used in the country. The only exception is for instances of "wilful misconduct."

For drug companies, accepting potential liability runs counter to standard practice.

"Vaccine manufacturers try to minimize legal risks in almost every setting," said John T. Monahan, Professor at Georgetown University. "The gold standard is full immunity from lawsuits. If they accept carve-outs, it may become more difficult to reach that goal."

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