Millions of dollars have been distributed to Canadians affected by COVID vaccine injuries, according to Canada's Vaccine Injury Support Program. By the end of last year, $11,236,314 in compensation had been paid out to 1,825 families. However, patients report that accessing these funds is challenging due to a difficult-to-navigate system and doctors' unwillingness to officially recognize many vaccine injuries.
One such patient is Ross Wightman, a 42-year-old who received almost $250,000 in compensation from the program. Wightman's experience highlights the devastating impact that vaccine injuries can have on individuals and their families. After receiving his first and only dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine, Wightman experienced severe back pain and was eventually diagnosed with Guillain–Barré syndrome, an autoimmune disorder that affects the peripheral nervous system. He spent 67 days in the hospital, paralyzed from the waist down, with facial paralysis and permanent damage in his legs, feet, and hands.
Wightman's case also sheds light on the challenges faced by vaccine injury victims in obtaining an official diagnosis connecting their condition to the vaccine. While doctors privately acknowledged the vaccine as the cause of Wightman's condition, they were hesitant to declare it officially. Eventually, a specialist recommended him to the Vaccine Injury Support Program, but navigating the program proved challenging. Claimants must fill out extensive paperwork and provide detailed medical records to validate their claims. Many claimants have reported difficulty receiving timely communication from case managers and finding the lump sum payouts inadequate.
Wightman believes that the Canadian government could have prevented vaccine injuries by not accepting AstraZeneca vaccines from the Baltimore plant, which had known quality control problems at the time of his injury. He calls for an inquiry or investigation into the matter and an official apology from the government.
In conclusion, while millions of dollars have been distributed to Canadians affected by COVID vaccine injuries, accessing these funds and obtaining an official recognition of vaccine injuries remain significant challenges. Patients like Ross Wightman highlight the devastating consequences of vaccine injuries and call for a more accessible support program and increased compensation to account for expenses and lost earnings.
