Driving after receiving jab ‘may invalidate insurance’

DRIVERS who get straight behind the wheel after having a coronavirus vaccination could be at risk of invalidating their car insurance, a leading motoring lawyer has warned.

Nick Freeman, who was dubbed Mr Loophole after getting a string of celebrities off motoring charges, said having an injection is classed as a medical procedure and therefore drivers are unlikely to be covered by their policy if they are involved in an accident on the way home.

He said it could be a particular issue with drive-through vaccination centres and he has recommended that people do not drive immediately after getting a coronavirus jab.

Mr Freeman said: “It’s well documented that the vaccine can produce a range of side effects such as a sore arm, tiredness, fever, nausea and headaches, all of which can compromise the ability to drive.

“So, if you use your car straight after a jab, are feeling a bit under the weather and you are then involved in an accident, there’s a possibility your insurers would vitiate your policy.

“If you were to fight this in court, there would be a burden on you to demonstrate you were not adversely affected by the vaccination and that it was not the jab or its side effects which were responsible for the incident.”

More than 20 million people have now had their first coronavirus jabs with all adults expected to be immunised by the late summer.

Dozens of drive-through vaccination

‘Take someone with you or wait 15 minutes and ensure you feel no adverse reaction before driving home’

centres have helped speed up the process, but Mr Freeman urged people to plan ahead and not take unnecessary risks behind the wheel.

He said: “The vaccination programme has been a huge success, and nothing must deter people from taking up these vital appointments.

“My advice to anyone called for their coronavirus vaccine is either to take someone with you or wait 15 minutes and ensure you feel no adverse reaction before driving home. And of course, don’t drive while experiencing side effects from a delayed reaction.”