The United States should take note of recent developments in Canada regarding vaccine injury compensation reform. On April 1, 2026, Canada announced its transition from a private system, the Vaccine Injury Support Program (VISP), to a new program called the Vaccine Impact Assistance Program (VIAP), now overseen by the Public Health Agency of Canada.

The original VISP was designed to support individuals who suffered serious and permanent injuries following COVID-19 vaccination. Under the new VIAP framework, those seeking compensation are no longer required to prove negligence. Instead, those injured now just need to prove that a vaccine likely caused an injury which will allow more people to get compensated. As reported by Global News journalist Melissa Ridgen, “The rebranded support program also aims to bolster public trust as vaccine hesitancy grows.”

Canada’s former VISP closely resembled the United States’ Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program (CICP), which many critics argue is insufficient. The CICP is limited to serious injuries or deaths and is often criticized for its lack of transparency and difficult claims process. The United States should consider either overhauling the CICP or expanding the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) to include COVID-19 vaccine related injuries.

Here at Hultquist Law, we are keeping a close eye on vaccine injury news both nationally and internationally to get context for what could happen in the future. In our last blog post we discussed how India also has made strides to help those injured by COVID-19 vaccines. With more countries around the world starting to implicate these new programs, hopefully the United States will follow suit.

If you believe you may have a vaccine injury claim, please do not hesitate to contact Hultquist Law, P.C. to discuss your case.