COVID-19 vaccine health problems relief system
If the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare determines that a health issue was caused by the vaccination, you can receive relief (medical expenses subsidy or disability pension) under the Immunization Act.
Last updated date：2021/5/21
About the health problems relief system
In general, a vaccination may cause health problems (getting sick or experiencing a disability) based on side reactions, other than the relatively common side reactions such as temporary fever and swelling / pain at the place where you received the shot.
While such occurrences are extremely rare, it is because they cannot be eliminated entirely that a relief system has been put in place.
Under the relief system, when the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare determines that a health problem was caused by vaccination, and the person requires treatment at a health care facility or is left with a disability, the Immunization Act states that that person can receive relief (such as medical expenses or disability pension).
The determination on the causal relationship with the vaccination is made by a national examination committee consisting of experts on vaccination, infectious disease, medicine, and legal issues.
Relief process
The claimant will submit the claim to the city according to the type of benefit.
Once the claim is submitted, the city will first review the case at the Yokohama Vaccination Accident Response Investigation Committee （外部サイト）(provisional translation), and if the committee finds that a casual relationship exists, will bring the case to the national committee via the prefectural government.
The Examination Committee for Certification of Sickness and Disability will review the case and submit a report to the national government, who will notify the city via the prefectural government.
After that, the benefit will be provided to cases that were approved.
Types of benefits
| Type of benefit | Description | Benefit amount |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of medical expenses | Cost of medical care incurred that was charged to the patient | Amount charged to patient other than the amount covered by health insurance |
| Medical expenses allowance | Costs incurred due to hospitalization (paid on a per-month basis) | Outpatient visits for treatment of 3 days or more (monthly)37,000 yen |
| Child with a disability pension* | Provided to residents caring for someone under 18 years old with a disability | Category 1 (annual amount) 1,581,600 yen |
| Disability pension* | Provided to residents over 18 years old with certain disabilities | Category 1 (annual amount) 5,056,800 yen |
| Lump-sum Death Benefit | Paid to surviving family of the deceased | 44,200,000 yen |
| Funeral fees | Paid to the person arranging funeral matters for the deceased | 212,000 yen |
| Survivor’s pension | Paid to survivors if the deceased provided the primary household income | |
| Survivor’s one-time payment | Paid to survivors if the deceased did not provide the primary household income | |
| Supplemental long term care | Paid in addition to child with disability pension or disability pension if receiving care outside of a care facility or hospital | Category 1 (annual amount) 844,300 yen |
*Benefit amounts current as of April 2021.
*Benefit amounts shown in this chart may differ depending on the circumstances.
Application documents (please contact the related office before submitting an application)
| Type | Required documents |
|---|---|
| Cost of medical expenses or Medical expenses allowance | (1) Invoice for Medical Expenses/Medical Expenses Allowance |
| Other | Contact the office below. |
*You may be asked to submit additional documents in some cases.
*There may be a fee to issue certain documents.
Where to apply
Applications may be submitted by post.
〒231-0005
Yokohama-shi Naka-ku Honcho 6-chome 50-10
Health Problems Relief System, Health Safety Division, Health and Social Welfare Bureau
Other matters
For details about this system, see the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare website（外部サイト）.(in Japanese)
