Govts or manufacturers, who is on the hook if Covid-19 vaccines go wrong?

Policy makers in developing nations may not have a choice but to take what they can get - easily, cheaply and quickly

The Covid-19 vaccines are here and distribution has begun. But what if something goes wrong?

Whether it’s a loss of income, hefty medical bills or other serious adverse effects, someone has to pick up the tab. In the past, so-called liability shields have given companies cover to produce effective treatments quickly without legal exposure. But it’s a risky endeavour for nations to absorb responsibility for highly novel products, developed and licensed at lightning speed.

Who will be responsible if there are serious adverse side events? No insurer will underwrite the risk; the burden of compensation will fall on states or, in the