Maria Dunning-Ballagh, a resident of Walkerton, is calling for more focus on medical support rater than political debate regarding COVID-19 vaccine injuries. She argues that a recent federal inquiry led by Conservative MP Dean Allison has prioritized political messaging over the needs of injured citizens.
The disparity in Canada's $21 million compensation pool
The gap between applicants and approved claimants remains a significant hurdle for those seeking relief. According to the report, while approximately 3,500 Canadians have applied to the government's Vaccine Injury Assistance Program, only 252 claims have been approved so far. These approved cases represent a total of $21 million in compensation.
This statistic highlights a massive bottleneck in the system, especially considering the scale of the vaccination campaign. While roughly 28 million Canadians received at least one dose of a COVID vaccine, about 58,000 Canadians reported adverse effects, with 12,000 of those classified as serious. The current rate of compensation suggests that only a small fraction of those reporting serious issues have successfully navigated the claims process.
Maria Dunning-Ballagh’s struggle with Sjogren's Disease
Maria Dunning-Ballagh has been stuck in Phase I of the Vaccine Injury Support Program since applying in January 2023. The Walkerton woman reports that her health deteriorated significantly following her first vaccine on April 27,2021, leading to a diagnosis of Sjogren's Disease. This condition has left her unable to produce moisture or saliva , and she describes experiencing constant, "screaming" pain from her shoulders to her toes.
Beyond the chronic pain, Dunning-Ballagh describes a harrowing array of symptoms, including electrical shocks throughout her body and restless legs. She has also lost most of her teeth and finds herself unable to cry due to her condition. The physical toll has forced her to abandon three different jobs, as she now relies on a multitude of pills daily just to manage her existence. despite her physician supporting her application, no doctor has officially linked her chronic pain directly to the vaccine.
Dean Allison’s inquiry and the charge of politicization
Conservative MP Dean Allison recently concluded an inquiry intended to spark conversation about COVID-19 public policy and vaccine compassion. However, Dunning-Ballagh expressed disgust at the proceedings,claiming the event was dominated by anti-vaccine and anti-mandate voices. She noted that the testimony included an American politician and a doctor who had recently lost their medical license.
Dunning-Ballagh feels "betrayed and duped" by the direction of the inquiry, noting that she is not an anti-vaccine activist. She argues that the focus on ideological battles ignores the 12,000 Canadians who believe vaccines work for most but have suffered serious adverse effects themselves. She fears that the political nature of the Allison Inquiry has actually set back the cause of those seeking legitimate government help.
Why the Vaccine Impact Assistance Program has yet to resolve Phase I delays
The transition to the newly named Vaccine Impact Assistance Program leaves several critical questions unanswered for applicants like Dunning-Ballagh. It remains unclear how the government intends to clear the backlog of applications that have been stalled for years. Furthermore, the report says that the approval rate for claims remains remarkably low—less than 8% of total applicants—leaving many to wonder what specific criteria are preventing the remaining thousands from receiving support.
There is also the issue of medical perception; Dunning-Ballagh claims that even mentioning a potential vaccine injury to a doctor can lead to them being labeled an "anti-vaxxer." This creates a barrier for patients who, like Dunning-Ballagh, continue to follow medical advice and take other vaccines because they are now immunocompromised.
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