Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleRobert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is exploring a new system to simplify government payouts for individuals claiming injuries from Covid-19 treatments. A July 1 notice from HHS outlined plans to create an "injury table" listing conditions presumed to be caused by Covid-19 countermeasures, including vaccines. This table would streamline the process for individuals to seek benefits under the Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program, which currently only covers smallpox and H1N1. Critics worry the change could allow Kennedy to advance his vaccine skepticism without scientific scrutiny, as these injury claims would not be subject to court review. The move is viewed by some as potentially "scientifically unsound" and "politically useful," especially considering Kennedy's past leadership of an anti-vaccine group and the administration's previous actions on mRNA vaccine research. In fullRFK Jr looking to pay people who claim they have side effects from the Covid vaccineMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

It's not clear what conditions may make the list, but outside experts are watching it closely.

Experts sound alarm about what RFK Jr. might include in an official injury table