In July 2021 I had my first Covid vaccine dose, in line with what we had all been asked to do.
Within a few weeks I developed some unusual symptoms, and by September of 2021 I was diagnosed as having a significant neurological condition, identified as a reaction to the Covid vaccination.
I was Covid vaccine-injured.
In late 2021 I was admitted to hospital on three separate occasions and had an additional admission to a physical rehabilitation hospital. In total I spent more than 6 weeks in care. Between October 2021 and March 2022 I was unable to walk.
Prior to being Covid vaccine injured I was healthy and strong, a husband, father, working in an industry I had built a career in over 30 years and was a volunteer in my community. It was quickly apparent that my life and future were going to be very different moving forward.
I needed help and, after searching to see if there was any government support, I found the Covid-19 Vaccine Claims Scheme – a scheme promoted as “an easy to access safety net with a quick administrative process” to support those who suffer an adverse reaction as a result of their Covid vaccination.
And so started a process that culminated here in late 2024. I say “process”, but it was more an ordeal, one that compounded the medical issues I continue to face.
The scheme is underpinned by a policy document that is more than 60 pages long, so not really “easy to access”. I needed a lawyer.
The major personal injury law firms were either not aware of the scheme or did not want to support people in making applications – in their words, professional legal support was not necessary. Good fortune led me to a small legal firm whose principal became aware of the scheme shortly after it was established after being contacted by another Covid vaccine injured person.
Working with the lawyer, we began compiling the information that would be needed, firstly to establish that I met the criteria for the scheme and then to satisfy the process set out in the policy document.
I do have to stress that without the assistance of a legal professional it would have been impossible for someone in my situation, as unwell as I am, to pull together the information that was needed to ensure a thorough application.
The scheme is structured in such a way that you can claim only once. It is also worth noting that there is no interim support provided while you are preparing your claim or once you have submitted a claim. So the scheme is not really a “safety net”.
After almost 12 months of gathering documentation, my application was ready. It comprised more than 1,000 pages.
Once the application was submitted it was assessed to determine its validity: did it meet the basic criteria; did I take an approved Covid vaccine; was I diagnosed with an adverse reaction in accordance with those listed under the policy; was I admitted to hospital for at least one night as a result of my adverse reaction, and; did I suffer financial loss above $1,000.
Once my claim passed this initial assessment (around 3 months) it then progressed to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for a medical review (which took a further 3 months).
Before progressing my claim Services Australia asked for some additional information. Once this was provided, they asked for yet further information. This back and forward continued for several more months.
Next was a review by an external legal firm. The firm is afforded 14 working days to review the claim and pass advice back to Services Australia. The advice after that review was, again, that more information was required. The additional information was compiled and sent back, and the claim was once review by the external law firm. Once this was finally done, Services Australia sent my claim for an internal legal review.
Finally in August 2024 I was issued a settlement offer. Almost 1½ years after the claim had been submitted, and 3 years since my vaccine injury.
Not really the “quick administrative process” that was promised.
The process of preparing my claim and waiting while it was reviewed has been extremely difficult, and has taken a toll on myself and my family that will have lasting impacts.
But, I am one of the lucky ones.
I met all of the narrow criteria required to make a claim. I had supportive doctors who had the courage to voice their beliefs that I had been injured by my Covid vaccination. I had close and extended family who were able to provide emotional and financial support throughout these years. I had good friends who believed in me. I met a wonderful network of fellow Covid vaccine-injured people who provided amazing empathy. I received support from some principled politicians who took up my cause and the cause of the wider Covid vaccine-injured community. And I had a brave lawyer who took on my claim and worked tirelessly on my behalf to achieve a settlement.
The criteria for making a claim is extremely narrow. Only 11 of more than 200 internationally recognised Covid vaccine reactions are covered under the scheme.
With around 4,500 claims made under the scheme the majority have been either rejected or withdrawn. Less than 400 claims have resulted in a settlement offer.
It is not unreasonable to consider that the narrow criteria of the scheme mean that more than 95% of people with life changing Covid vaccine-injuries cannot even make a claim. This leaves perhaps many tens of thousands Australians who are Covid vaccine-injured with nowhere to turn.
Covid vaccine-injury is real and, in too many cases, life changing.
Australia prides itself on being the lucky country, a place of care and compassion. Unfortunately this has not been the experience of the majority of the Covid vaccine-injured. We need to do better.
Chris Nemeth, @TheChrisNemeth
Chris in the media
- 28th August 2024, news.com.au, ‘1000 pages’: Aussie dad’s ‘cruel’ three-year wait for vaccine injury compensation
- 28th August 2024, Daily Mail Australia, Father has to learn to walk again after rare reaction to Covid vaccine – as he shares grave warning
