Vaccine Injury Financial Assistance Programme for COVID-19 Vaccination
VIFAP for COVID-19 Vaccination provides goodwill financial assistance to persons who experienced serious side effects caused by the COVID-19 vaccines received under national programmes.
Last updated on 12 October 2026
To protect our population against COVID-19 infection and the potentially serious health consequences of an infection, COVID-19 vaccination has been made free to all Singaporeans and long-term residents in Singapore.While COVID-19 vaccination is voluntary, everyone who is medically eligible is strongly encouraged to get vaccinated.
COVID-19 vaccines that are recommended for use are registered under the Health Products Act, and are assessed by the Expert Committee on Immunisation to be safe and efficacious. Like all vaccines, most people who receive the COVID-19 vaccines generally do not experience side effects. Some may experience mild symptoms, such as pain at the injection site and mild fever, that resolve on their own in a few days. In very rare instances, persons may experience serious side effects, such as a severe allergic reaction.
The Vaccine Injury Financial Assistance Programme for COVID-19 Vaccination (VIFAP) provides one-time goodwill financial assistance to persons who experienced serious side effects assessed to be caused by the COVID-19 vaccines received under national programmes.
Useful links
Who may apply for VIFAP?
Singapore citizens, permanent residents or long-term pass holders who received the COVID-19 vaccine under national programmes and who experienced a serious side effect assessed by a doctor to be caused by the COVID-19 vaccine, may apply for VIFAP.
Which vaccines are included under VIFAP?
COVID-19 vaccines received under national programmes and in accordance with the recommended dosing are included under the VIFAP. These include the (i) Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty, (ii) Moderna/Spikevax, (iii) Novavax/Nuvaxovid vaccines and (iv) Sinovac-CoronaVac vaccinations received under national programmes from 23 October 2021 to 30 September 2024.
COVID-19 vaccines received outside the national programme are not eligible for the VIFAP.
What is considered a ‘serious side effect’ that qualifies for VIFAP?
A serious side effect is one that has led to inpatient hospitalisation, or caused permanent severe disability, or was fatal. Persons who experienced such side effects after receiving the COVID-19 vaccination may apply for assistance. All applications will be reviewed by an independent clinical panel for the severity and relatedness of the side effect to the COVID-19 vaccine received.
How much financial assistance will be provided? Will it fully pay for the medical treatment attributed to the serious side effects caused by the vaccine?
The amount of financial assistance provided is fixed and dependent on the severity of the serious side effect, as indicated in the table below. Payout will be based on the highest quantum eligible, and persons will be eligible for one payout only (e.g. only $225,000 for death and permanent severe disability, regardless of hospital stay or treatment).
Types of serious side effect and their one-time payout amounts
S/N | Types of serious side effect | One-time payout amount |
|---|---|---|
1 | Results in death or permanent severe disability | $225,000 |
2 | Requires admission to High Dependency or Intensive Care, with subsequent recovery | $10,000 |
3 | Requires inpatient hospitalisation, with subsequent recovery (Excluding visits to A&E, without subsequent inpatient admission) | $2,000 |
The VIFAP is a goodwill financial assistance scheme that is independent of existing healthcare financing and insurance schemes. The VIFAP provides an additional layer of financial support for patients who had suffered from serious side effects caused by the vaccine.
The VIFAP is not meant to reimburse medical costs associated with the serious side effect(s). Individuals who experienced side effects after their COVID-19 vaccination can continue to receive support through applicable healthcare financing schemes, such as MediShield Life and subsidies at our public healthcare institutions. Persons with private insurance may wish to check with their insurance provider on their coverage details.
How do I apply for VIFAP?
You may apply for VIFAP through online submission of applications. (opens in new tab)
All applications must be supported by the assessment of a medical doctor. As part of your submission, you are required to provide the 'Request for Medical Information' form (opens in new tab) which must be completed by your primary attending doctor.
Applications will not be processed in the absence of a completed Request for Medical Information form.
For persons under the age of 21 years, the application must be submitted by a parent or legal guardian. For persons with disability or are deceased, the application may be submitted by a next-of-kin, donee, deputy or administrator on the vaccinated person’s behalf.
Applications must be submitted no later than 3 years from the date of occurrence of the serious side effect.
If you are unable to submit your application online, please contact the Ministry of Health hotline at 1800-333-9999, and a hardcopy application form will be mailed to you.
*Doctors have been informed that they should not charge any fees for the completion of the “Request for Medical Information” form. The Ministry of Health may contact your doctor directly if further clarification or information is required. Applications with incomplete or insufficient information on the 'Request for Medical Information' form will not be processed.
Other frequently asked questions
How long is the processing time for applications?
Online applications may generally take about 10 weeks to be processed upon receipt of a complete set of supporting documents including application form, proof of identity and the “Request for Medical Information” form. The complexity of the serious side effect and the completeness of the application submitted may also affect the processing time.
How will I know the outcome of my application?
An independent clinical panel appointed by the Ministry of Health (MOH) will review and assess your application to determine if you are eligible for assistance. MOH will formally inform you of the outcome of your application via email or post.
How will I receive the payout upon successful application for the assistance? How long will it take to receive the payout?
For successful applications, MOH will contact the applicant with the necessary paperwork to process the payout to a nominated bank account. Upon receipt of the completed paperwork, payment will be made to the bank account.
If my medical condition arising from the serious side effect worsens after I have received a payout, can I request for additional financial assistance?
If you experience a worsening in your medical condition arising from the serious side effect after receiving a payout, and have new information on the side effect from your doctor, you may submit an application for reassessment (opens in new tab).
All applications for reassessment must be supported by new medical information on the serious side effect. As part of your submission, you are required to provide a new 'Request for Medical Information' form (opens in new tab) which must be completed by your primary attending doctor. You may request your doctor to complete the form and return it to you.
Applications will not be processed in the absence of a completed Request for Medical Information form.
*Doctors have been informed that they should not charge any fees for the completion of this form. The Ministry of Health may contact your doctor if further clarification or information is required. Applications with incomplete or insufficient information on the 'Request for Medical Information' form will not be processed.
Why are serious side effects arising from COVID-19 vaccinations received outside the national programme not eligible for the VIFAP?
These vaccinations are received under private arrangements between the vaccinated individuals and his/her attending doctor and not under national programmes. Individuals who wish to receive COVID-19 vaccination in Singapore should discuss the benefits and risks of receiving the vaccination against the risk of COVID-19 infection with their doctors.