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Who pays the hospital bill when a vaccine goes wrong?
In Korea, the government runs a compensation program for people hurt by an adverse event after vaccination.
Still, many people don’t know where to file or what to bring.
Korea vaccine injury compensation claims go through your local public health center (bogeonso). You can file within five years of the adverse event.
A Korea vaccine injury compensation claim starts with paperwork at your local public health center.
An expert committee at the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) reviews it. If you disagree with the result, you can file an objection.
For COVID-19 vaccines, a special objection window closes on October 23, 2026.
How do I file a Korea vaccine injury compensation claim?
You file at the public health center for your registered address, within five years of the adverse event.
Vaccine injury compensation is a government program that pays for illness, disability, or death linked to a vaccination, after an official review.
The KDCA runs it, and the public health center takes your application.
The process has four steps.
- Prepare and submit documents: Bring your application form and medical records to the public health center.
- Preliminary investigation: The health center and your city or province look into what happened.
- Expert committee review: The KDCA convenes the Expert Committee on Vaccine Injury Compensation within 120 days of your claim and decides.
- Decision notice: You receive the result.
□ Application form for medical and caregiver costs
□ Medical certificate (must state your symptoms and the onset date)
□ Photo ID
□ Medical receipts and an itemized bill
Claims for death or disability may need other documents. Ask the health center before you go.
Source: KDCA Immunization Helper, “National Compensation System for Vaccine Injury” (예방접종피해 국가보상제도), checked October 2026
What does Korea’s vaccine injury compensation cover?
It covers medical costs, caregiver costs, disability payments, death payments, and funeral costs.
Causality is the question of whether the vaccine and the adverse event are linked as cause and effect.
The committee weighs this link before it decides. So keep your medical records and receipts.
| Item | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Medical costs | Your out-of-pocket share after National Health Insurance (Korea’s public health insurance) applies |
| Fixed caregiver fee | KRW 50,000 per day (about $35), for inpatient treatment only |
| Disability lump sum | Paid when a disability remains |
| Death lump sum | Monthly minimum wage at the time of death × 240 |
| Funeral costs | KRW 300,000 (about $215) |
Dollar amounts are rough and change with the exchange rate.
COVID-19 shots given between February 26, 2021 and June 30, 2024 fall under a special act that took effect on October 23, 2025.
The act presumes a causal link when requirements such as timing are met.
Even if you don’t qualify for compensation, medical and death-consolation support may be available when the need is recognized.
Source: KDCA Immunization Helper, “National Compensation System for Vaccine Injury”; Korea Policy Briefing, “COVID-19 Vaccination Injury Compensation: Special Objection by October 23” (2026)
What if my claim is denied? How does the objection process work?
You can file an objection if you disagree with the decision. The number of objections is limited to one.
An objection is a request to review a compensation decision again when you don’t accept the result.
For COVID-19 vaccines, the deadline depends on when you got your decision.
| Type | Who | Deadline and limit |
|---|---|---|
| Special objection (COVID-19) | People decided before the act took effect (October 23, 2025) | By October 23, 2026, once |
| Post-act objection (COVID-19) | People newly decided after the act took effect | Within 90 days of the result notice |
| Other vaccines | People decided under the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act | Once (ask your health center for the exact deadline) |
You file in person at the public health center for your current registered address. Bring the objection form and the required documents.
A re-review committee then deliberates, and the KDCA commissioner makes the final decision and notifies you.
The special objection window closes on October 23, 2026.
If you already won a final court judgment appealing a decision made before the act, you can’t use this objection.
Ask your health center whether late filings are accepted.
Source: KDCA, press release on the COVID-19 compensation “special objection” (2026)
Is reporting an adverse event the same as filing a claim?
No. A report tells health authorities that an adverse event happened. A compensation claim is a separate request for payment.
An adverse event report is a notice to the public health center and the KDCA about suspected symptoms after vaccination.
Who reports determines the route.
- Vaccinated person or guardian: Report on the Immunization Helper website (nip.kdca.go.kr) or call your local public health center.
- Doctors, dentists, and Korean medicine doctors: Report to the local health center head through the disease health integrated management system, or by fax, at diagnosis.
A report includes the vaccine name, the date and place of vaccination, and the onset date, type, and course of the reaction.
Because the routes differ, ask the health center to explain both.
For more on using Korean hospitals, see our Hospital Guide for Korea. (Internal link: replace after related articles are published)
Source: KDCA Immunization Helper, “Adverse Event Reporting System” (이상반응 신고제도 안내), checked October 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the deadline for a Korea vaccine injury compensation claim?
You file within five years of the adverse event, at the public health center for your registered address. COVID-19 vaccines follow a special act, so confirm the details with the health center.
2. Do I need hospital receipts?
Yes, for medical cost claims. You need a medical certificate, receipts, and an itemized bill. The certificate must state your symptoms and the onset date.
3. How many times can I file an objection?
Once. The COVID-19 special objection is also limited to one filing.
4. Where can I get help?
Ask your local public health center, call the KDCA call center at 1339, or contact the Immunization Helper line at 043-913-2258.
References
- KDCA Immunization Helper, “National Compensation System for Vaccine Injury” (예방접종피해 국가보상제도), accessed 2026. Link
- KDCA Immunization Helper, “Adverse Event Reporting System” (이상반응 신고제도 안내), accessed 2026. Link
- KDCA, “COVID-19 Compensation: Special Objection” press release (코로나19 피해보상 ‘특례 이의신청’ 보도자료), 2026. Link
- Korea Policy Briefing, “COVID-19 Vaccination Injury Compensation: Special Objection by October 23” (코로나19 예방접종 피해보상 특례 이의신청, 10월 23일까지), 2026. Link
- Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, “National compensation system for immunization-related injuries,” accessed 2026. Link
- Osong Public Health and Research Perspectives, “Comparison and consideration of vaccine injury compensation programs in the Republic of Korea, Japan, and Taiwan,” 2024. Link
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