Abetz welcomes vaccine compensation scheme
Liberal Senator for Tasmania, Eric Abetz, welcomes the move by the Australian Government to implement a compensation scheme for those who suffer serious side effects from vaccination after writing to the Prime Minister and calling for such a scheme to be created.
Senator Abetz wrote to the Prime Minister and the Minister for Health on 2 June 2021, calling for compensation after a Tasmanian constituent was hospitalised for 16 days after receiving his first jab and which significantly affected his health and income.
The constituent, while battling health issues, was keen to reduce vaccine hesitancy in those who had heard of his experience by pushing for the implementation of a compensation scheme.
One month later, on 2 July, the Australian Government announced the establishment of a COVID-19 Vaccine Claim Scheme by assuring Australians that “health professionals, including GPs, nurses and pharmacists administering COVID vaccines as part of the Commonwealth vaccination program have appropriate indemnity coverage.”
Now, the Government has announced the finalised details of the no-fault COVID-19 Vaccine Claim Scheme.
Senator Abetz said the compensation was a fair way to treat those who suffer the rare occurrence of serious side effects from vaccination as well as reducing vaccine hesitancy by providing a financial safety net.
“It is only fair that if the Government strongly encourages us to get vaccinated – which is a good thing – that those who suffer rare but serious side effects should be financially compensated,” said Senator Abetz.
“It is both a sensible and compassionate move that will hopefully reduce vaccine hesitancy by giving financial peace of mind for those worried about the possibility of the rare occasion of serious vaccine side effects.”
“I encourage anyone who has suffered the rare side effects of vaccination to come forward and register their intent to claim.”
From 6 September, Australians who suffer injury and loss of income due to their COVID-19 vaccine will be able to register their intent to claim at www.health.gov.au/COVID-19-vaccination-claim-scheme. The cost of compensation payments under this Scheme will be fully funded by the Commonwealth and the Scheme will be backdated to February 2021.
