This week, the Constitutional Court of Czechia ruled against a proposal from the Supreme Court that aimed to expand the compensation space for individuals who have suffered health damages due to COVID-19 vaccinations. The court upheld the legal condition requiring particularly serious health harm for individuals to receive compensation, thus ensuring that only severe cases are eligible. The decision was made without a public hearing, with the court citing the applicant's lack of merit and the apparent unfounded nature of the proposal as reasons for its refusal.

The proposal stemmed from the case of a man who developed myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle, two weeks after receiving his third dose of the COVID vaccine in 2022. The man, who had no previous health problems, was treated multiple times at hospitals, including Hořovice and the Na Homolce hospital in Prague. He sought nearly eight million crowns in damages, primarily for the reduction of his ability to participate socially, as well as for pain and loss of earnings. However, the District Court for Prague 2 dismissed his lawsuit, citing the existing legal condition for compensation as a barrier for similar cases.

The implications of this ruling are significant for individuals seeking compensation for adverse effects related to the COVID-19 vaccine, as it reinforces the existing strict criteria for what constitutes compensable harm. This could dissuade future claims from individuals who may be in similar situations, effectively limiting the legal recourse available for those who suffer adverse effects from vaccination. The court's decision highlights the ongoing legal discourse surrounding vaccination policies and health-related compensation in Czechia, reflecting a cautious approach in balancing public health measures with individual rights and compensation frameworks.