The Morrison Government is reducing the claim threshold of the no fault COVID-19 Vaccine Claims Scheme. Australians will now have quick access to compensation from $1,000 for COVID-19 claims related to the administration of a Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approved COVID-19 vaccine delivered through a Commonwealth Government approved program.
Australians who suffer injury and loss of income due to their COVID-19 vaccine can register their intent to claim from the .
The scheme will now cover the costs of injuries above $1,000 due to a proven adverse reaction to a COVID-19 vaccination and will be backdated to February 2021. Claims will be assessed by independent experts, and compensation paid based on the recommendations.
The recognised side effects to the COVID-19 vaccines are included in the approved Product Information and include:
- anaphylactic reaction
- thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome
- myocarditis
- pericarditis
- capillary leak syndrome
- demyelinating disorders including Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS)
- thrombocytopenia, including immune thrombocytopenia, identified as a final diagnosis.
As well as specified administration-related injuries.
For claims between $1,000 and $20,000, claimants need to have been hospitalised for at least one night and provide applicable evidence of:
- the nature of the injury and medical documentation of its likely relationship to a COVID-19 vaccination
- hospitalisation, due to a vaccine-related injury
- medical costs
- lost wages.
The hospitalisation requirement may be waived if outpatient treatment is received and the COVID-19 Vaccine recipient was not admitted to hospital, when they otherwise would have been, because either:
- of the nature of their clinical condition
- the recipient was in a rural or remote area making it difficult to access a hospital.
The evidence requirements for claims $20,000 and over, including death and broader operation of the scheme will be published shortly. Claims relating to a death will not require evidence of hospitalisation.
Australians who receive a COVID-19 vaccination and have an adverse event are encouraged to report it to their doctor who can provide the information to the TGA to ensure such events are included in its reporting.
