Question Number: 199
PDR Number: SQ22-000569
Date Submitted: 21/11/2022
Department or Body: Department of Health
Answer 102 The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) does not provide specialist clinical opinion on any vaccine injury claim. The claimant’s diagnosis (and therefore clinical eligibility under the scheme) is dependent on the treating doctor’s specialist opinion. There is no process under the COVID-19 Vaccine Claims Scheme in which the TGA can “override” a specialist’s opinion of the diagnosis. Medical officers from the Department of Health and Aged Care assist with the interpretation of medical evidence submitted in support of some groups of claims. This can include verifying if the claimant has submitted evidence from their treating doctor confirming their diagnosis. This is not a re-diagnosis of the patient. The role of the Department of Health and Aged Care medical officers is set out in the COVID-19 Vaccine claims scheme policy document, available at: www.health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/covid-19-vaccineclaims-scheme. Answer 103 Response provided in SQ22-000105. Answer 104 Response provided in SQ22-000105.
