COVID-19 Vaccine Compensation Reaches $23 Million, 8 Percent of Claims Successful

The Australian government has processed over 4,300 claims for vaccine injuries and has paid out approximately $23 million (US$15 million) in compensation.

According to information from The Epoch Times, 8.34 percent of claims made to the government’s compensation program have resulted in payments.

“As of July 31, 2024, the COVID-19 Vaccine Claims Scheme has received 4,389 claims and has compensated 366 claims totaling around $23 million,” the agency informed The Epoch Times.

The scheme covers vaccines authorized by the TGA, including AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax.

Services Australia, a government agency, manages the claims on behalf of the Department of Health and Aged Care.

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To file a compensation claim, individuals must meet the harm definition, be hospitalized as an inpatient, or obtain a waiver if treated on an outpatient basis.

Claimable conditions under the scheme include severe reactions like anaphylaxis, myocarditis, pericarditis, thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome, as well as shoulder injuries from the vaccine and other physical injuries resulting in permanent impairment or requiring prolonged medical treatment.

“You must also have been admitted to the hospital as an inpatient. Visits to the emergency department do not count as hospital admissions.”

The scheme does not cover harm from COVID-19 infection, psychological or psychiatric conditions, and secondary injuries.

Side effects such as headaches, fatigue, and injection site reactions are also not eligible for compensation.

Politicians from various parties recently urged Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to extend the COVID-19 vaccine compensation scheme and broaden its eligibility criteria.

“Without dwelling on every decision we got wrong, I believe it is important to point out one mistake made by governments worldwide. That was the strict enforcement of vaccine mandates,” he stated in the NSW Parliament.

“Health officials and governments had good intentions to curb the spread, but if the impact of vaccines on transmission was minimal, as it is largely accepted now, the laws should have respected individual freedom more.”