Appeals guidance: Vaccine Impact Assistance Program

Last updated: June 12, 2026

This document is subject to periodic updates. Please consult this page to ensure you're referencing the most current version.

Purpose

This guidance provides explanatory information on section 7, Appealing Decisions, of the Vaccine Impact Assistance Program Policy Framework.

Please refer to:

Policy Framework: Vaccine Impact Assistance Program

This guidance explains:

who can appeal
which decisions can be appealed
what information you need to include
when an appeal can be submitted, and
how the Vaccine Impact Assistance Program ("the Program") appeal process works.

Who can appeal

A claimant or an authorized representative can appeal a decision.

What decisions can be appealed

You can appeal the final decision outlined in your decision letter. This includes decisions on the following three components of the medical assessment:

Causality assessment: Your claim was denied because there was no probable causal relationship between your medical condition and a Health Canada-authorized vaccine.
Serious and permanent assessment: Your claim was denied because your injury or medical condition was not considered both serious and permanent.
Severity assessment: You do not agree with the severity rating. Medical experts use a standard assessment guide to assign a severity rating to your injury. This rating is an objective assessment of how much the injury affects daily activities and ability to function. The severity rating is used to decide how much financial support you may receive.

What you need when submitting an appeal

If you received a decision that you do not agree with, you must complete a VIAP Appeal Form. To receive the printed form by mail, contact us by phone. You'll need to provide your mailing address.

In the form you must provide:

a clear rationale explaining which aspects of the medical assessment you are challenging, and
at least one of the following types of evidence to support your appeal:
- Identification of specific records or clinical findings in your claim that were not adequately considered
- New supporting documentation such as credible medical information
- New medical records, or
- If no records are being submitted at the time of the appeal, confirmation that you are in the process of obtaining new medical records.

The VIAP Appeal Form includes dedicated sections for you to provide this information. Providing clear and specific information helps the Program understand what aspects of your claim need to be reviewed.

Records or documentation to support your appeal

You must clearly identify the records or documentation you are relying on in your appeal form. This refers to either:

new medical information not included in your original claim, or
existing information in your original claim that you believe was not adequately considered in the medical assessment.

New medical information must be based on medical examinations, tests, or expert medical opinions. Examples of medical information include:

clinical notes
new test results
updated diagnosis
specialist consultations
documented signs, symptoms, and diagnoses
recent health care professional's letter or report
findings from diagnostic tests, such as imaging or blood tests
documented physical examinations, such as those examining movement or strength

These documents must be provided by health care professionals licensed in Canada and in good standing with their provincial or territorial regulatory college. They must provide opinions within their area of professional knowledge, experience, and expertise.

If required documents (e.g., medical records or test results) are not available at the time of appeal, you should still submit your VIAP Appeal Form within the required timeframe. Remember to indicate which documents are pending and when you expect to submit them.

Your appeal will be considered ready for review only once all required documents are received. After that point, additional information will not be accepted unless requested by the Program.

If the information submitted is incomplete or does not meet requirements, you will be notified and given an opportunity to provide the missing information. Appeals will not proceed if required information is not submitted.

Time limit to submit an appeal

You must submit your appeal within ninety (90) days of the date shown on your decision letter, unless a different timeline applies as outlined below.

VISP decisions issued by OXARO Inc.

If your decision letter is dated before January 30, 2026, you cannot appeal under the current Program. Under OXARO Inc., appeals had to be submitted within 60 days, and that deadline has already passed.

If your decision letter is dated January 30, 2026, or later and was issued by OXARO Inc., your appeal falls within the original 60-day period. However, as the VIAP could not accept appeals when the Program transitioned on April 1, 2026, you have until August 30, 2026, to submit your appeal.

VIAP decisions issued by the Public Health Agency of Canada

If your decision letter (called Notice of Decision) was issued by the Public Health Agency of Canada, after April 1, 2026, you must submit your appeal within 90 days of the Notice of Decision.

Existing appeals

All open appeals submitted prior to April 1, 2026 will be processed by the Program in accordance with the Policy Framework. You will be required to provide the Program updated information on your appeal for it to be further considered. Use the VIAP Appeal Form to provide your update by checking the box that says "I am submitting this form in relation to an existing and open appeal".

If you have already received a decision on your appeal from OXARO Inc., you cannot appeal again, as the deadline to submit an appeal has passed.

Filling your appeal form

Depending on whether it is your first time submitting an appeal or if you are providing an update on an existing and open appeal, it will determine your purpose of submission (Section 2 of the Appeal Form).

Select "New appeal" if submitting for the first time and complete all sections of the Appeal Form, except for Section 6.
Select "I am submitting this form in relation to an existing and open appeal" if you had submitted an appeal to OXARO Inc. and have not received a notice of decision.
- For an existing and open appeal, use Section 6 of the form to provide a clear rationale explaining which aspects of the medical assessment are being challenged. If you are submitting new medical information or records, list the types of information (such as what new tests have been completed) and explain why they are relevant to your appeal.

You may submit any records you believe are relevant. The Program may contact you for additional information.

Decision-making process for appeals

Your appeal will be reviewed by medical experts. The appeal process involves reviewing your original submission along with any new or existing records you have identified. After the appeal process is completed, you will receive a letter explaining the outcome of the appeal review by medical experts.

Depending on what you are appealing, medical experts may take one or more of the following steps when reviewing your appeal:

re-review the original medical records and information submitted with your claim
review and assess any new medical information submitted with your appeal
reconsider whether there is a probable causal relationship between your medical condition and a Health Canada-authorized vaccine
reassess whether your medical condition meets the Program's criteria for being serious and permanent
re-evaluate the severity rating assigned to your injury

Medical experts will review the parts of the decision that you are appealing. Not all steps apply to every appeal. The Program may contact you for additional information.

How an appeal may affect your financial support

If you appeal the severity assessment, medical experts will review whether the original severity rating was appropriate. As a result, your financial support may increase, decrease, or remain the same.

If the appeal results in a lower severity rating, you may be required to repay any excess amount you have already received. This is considered an overpayment, and interest will be applied in accordance with federal laws and policy.

If repayment is required, information will be included in the Outcome of Appeal decision letter with the amount owed, due date for payment, and whether there is an option to deduct the amount owed from future payments. You may contact the Program to discuss repayment options.

Submitting your appeal form

At this time, the VIAP Appeal Form and accompanying documents can only be submitted by mail. An online submission option is not yet available but will be introduced in the future. If you mail your appeal using a courier or Canada Post, the Program recommends using a tracked mailing option.

Send your Appeal Form and any relevant medical records to the following address:

Vaccine Impact Assistance Program (VIAP)
PO Box 5000
Bathurst NB
E2A 5B8

Page details

2026-06-29

Language selection

Search