Tuesday, 1 August 2023

COVID-19 vaccination

David LIMBRICK (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (13:51): (204) My question is for the minister representing the minister for WorkSafe Victoria. The Herald Sun reported yesterday that injuries from COVID vaccines have resulted in $4.37 million in WorkCover claims. This is related apparently to 125 essential services workers, with 40 cases still open. It has taken far too long to recognise that some people experience adverse reactions to vaccines, but I am glad that they are receiving some recognition and support now. It is not really a surprise to me, as many of these people called my office during 2021 and 2022. In fact of the hundreds of people that contacted me with concerns about the mandates, the most common reasons were that either they had complex medical conditions or someone close to them had had an adverse reaction. My question for the minister is simply this: why are these considered workplace injuries?

Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (13:52): I thank Mr Limbrick for his question for the minister for WorkSafe. I will pass that on to Minister Pearson, and he will respond in accordance with the standing orders.

David LIMBRICK (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (13:52): I thank the Attorney-General for passing that on. The article in the Herald Sun describes one example of an otherwise healthy teacher who experienced severe pericarditis after having the vaccine, eventually requiring open-heart surgery. The article also notes that many do not want to speak publicly about their experience due to stigma, as though acknowledging that some people experience severe and sometimes complex reactions to vaccines is a bad thing. So I would like to ask the minister: could the minister please describe the general nature of these injuries that are requiring payments from WorkCover?

Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (13:53): Mr Limbrick, whilst I am happy to pass on your supplementary question, it occurs to me that there may be some impediments to providing that level of information, given that there would be individual privacy concerns and there would be individual files that are not appropriate to be provided to the minister and the like. But having said that, your question stands and I will pass it on. I am sure the minister will be happy to assist as much as he can.