Fewer than 10% of patients who registered for the Federal Government’s COVID-19 vaccine indemnity scheme have gone on to apply for compensation — and so far, only one patient has been successful.

While patients can still lodge claims against vaccine providers through the courts, the scheme is meant to deter patients from legal action, offering a simpler way of accessing compensation for vaccine-related adverse events.

Patients can be compensated for lost earnings (capped at $5,211.30 per week they were off work), pain and suffering (capped at $693,500) or, if the patient died, funeral costs plus compensation for their family.

By November 2021, some 10,000 patients had registered their interest to take part with Services Australia.