More than 30 personal injury lawsuits filed against the state due to Covid vaccine

Liam Moloney, a partner at Moloney & Co Solicitors in Naas, Co Kildare, said that while he supports all national vaccination schemes, in a “minority of cases” some people may experience a “significant side effect”.

The state took on the responsibility when it bought the Covid vaccines from manufacturers.

The State Liability Insurance Agency said: “To date, the State Liability Insurance Agency has been notified of 80 Covid-19 vaccine claims.”

Among those who have contacted Moloney & Co Solicitors are people who have developed myocarditis and pericarditis, which are associated with inflammation of the heart muscles, as well as people suffering from Bell’s palsy and SIRVA, a shoulder injury associated with vaccine administration.

“Vaccines are largely safe and I fully support the vaccination process. However, in a minority of cases, a significant adverse event can occur. We will vigorously pursue these cases on behalf of our clients,” Mr Moloney said.

He said people had no choice but to act as the state has not put in place a compensation scheme for anyone who has suffered an injury as a result of the vaccination programmes, despite a scheme first being proposed in 2020.

The Department of Health told the Sunday Independent that its officials had “completed significant work developing a model for a vaccine injury scheme and are working on related policy issues. The model will be considered by the Health Secretary shortly and, if approved, will be submitted to Cabinet for further consideration”.

"I represent a number of clients who have been left in a very vulnerable position because there is no vaccine compensation scheme. They feel they have no choice but to take legal action to secure compensation. There is no reason why it has taken the government so long to set up this scheme," Mr Moloney said.

"There are significant barriers to litigation. The risks and costs of litigation are high. It is unfair and unjust to force people to go to court," he added.