The European Medicines Agency will give its judgement on the link between the swine flu vaccine Pandemrix and narcolepsy next Friday. This will clear the way for decisions on compensation.
In February, the National Institute for Health and Welfare admitted that the swine flu vaccine was likely a contributing factor to an increase in the number of narcolepsy cases among children in Finland. However, the authority noted that it was difficult to attribute the rise in cases to the vaccine.
Guzenina-Richardson says that the connection between Pandemrix and narcolepsy cases is clear.
So far, 96 such cases have been diagnosed, resulting in 70 claims for compensation.
Support from the state
Guzenina-Richardson says that the state will contribute to compensation funds in case the insurance pool runs dry before satisfying all claims. The insurance pool is comprised of companies If, Pohjola Insurance and Tapiola.
“The pool’s claims reserve is 30 million euros, after which the state will provide compensation on the same basis,” the minister says.
Guzenina-Richardson does not want to put a figure on the upper limit of compensation for each patient.
“The cases will have to be considered in detail and, in addition to compensation, there will be a need to think of ways to help families touched by this tragedy,” the minister says.
