HAVE YOU BEEN DENIED A COVID-19 VACCINE EXEMPTION BY YOUR DOCTOR OR HAS YOUR EMPLOYER REJECTED YOUR EXEMPTION?
PLEASE HELP ME PUT A STOP TO VACCINE MANDATES AND KEEP PEOPLE IN THEIR JOBS BY SHARING YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH ME.
The Health Department Can’t Believe That COVID-19 Vaccine Exemptions Are Not Being Given To Those With Previous Adverse Reactions…So Let’s Tell Them!
Under Federal Health Guidelines (ATAGI), those who have had a serious adverse reaction to a COVID-19 Vaccine can be given a temporary exemption to receiving an additional shot.
Furthermore, if you have had a previous COVID-19 infection, you may also receive a temporary exemption for 4 months.
On the 6th April 2022 in the Senate, I informed Senator Anne Ruston, the Minister for Families and Social Services, and other Health Department bureaucrats that Covid-19 Vaccine exemptions were not being given to those who have suffered a serious adverse reaction. The department found this concerning given that under ATAGI guidelines, temporary exemptions can be given under a range of circumstances.
Senator Ruston asked me to let the department know who was being denied an exemption and I took up her request, creating this form to gather information about who this was happening to.
SHOW THIS VIDEO OF NIGEL CRAWFORD, the Chair of Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI), TO YOUR DOCTOR OR EMPLOYER IF THEY WON’T GIVE YOU AN EXEMPTION.
Below is an excerpt from the “ATAGI expanded guidance on acute major medical conditions that warrant a temporary medical exemption relevant for COVID-19 vaccines” document, updated on 29th April 2022 (previously 25th April).
WHAT’S CHANGED:
Rapid antigen tests (that where possible have been reported to the relevant State or Territory reporting system) are now considered acceptable proof of infection for the purposes of a temporary medical exemption to delay vaccination.
The time frame for temporary deferral of vaccination following SARS-CoV-2 infection has been updated from 6 months to 4 months.
The below guidance is prepared to support completion of the Australian Immunisation Register immunisation medical exemption (IM011) form. Guidelines for immunisation medical exemption are available at: www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/im011
TEMPORARY EXEMPTIONS – ATAGI GUIDELINES
An exemption should not be given when an alternative COVID-19 vaccine is available and when completing the medical exemption (IM011) form all COVID-19 brands must be selected.
Valid reasons for a temporary exemption include:
• For an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, inflammatory cardiac illness within the past 3 months, e.g.,myocarditis or pericarditis; acute rheumatic fever or acute rheumatic heart disease (i.e., with active myocardial inflammation); or acute decompensated heart failure
• For all COVID-19 vaccines:
o Acute major medical condition (e.g. undergoing major surgery or hospital admission for a serious illness).
– Typically, these are time-limited conditions (or the medical treatment for them is time limited).
o SARS-CoV-2 infection, where vaccination should be deferred for 3 months after a confirmed infection. The next scheduled dose should be given as soon as possible after the 3-month period.
– Ensure when reporting this temporary medical deferral to the AIR that you choose the category ‘acute major medical illness’ and that it is not for a duration longer than 4 months.
– Infection needs to be confirmed via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or rapid antigen test (RAT). RAT results should only be accepted where the result has been reported to the relevant jurisdiction reporting system (where possible).
o Any serious adverse event attributed to a previous dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, without another cause identified, and with no acceptable alternative vaccine available. For example, a person <60 years of age, contraindicated to receive Pfizer vaccine and in whom the risks do not outweigh the benefits for receipt of AstraZeneca vaccine, is eligible for a
temporary exemption.
o If the vaccinee is a risk to themselves or others during the vaccination process they may warrant a temporary vaccine exemption. This may include a range of individuals with underlying developmental or mental health disorders but noting that non-pharmacological interventions can safely facilitate vaccination in many individuals with behavioural disturbances and that specialist services may be available to facilitate the safe administration of vaccines in this population.
Chronic symptoms following COVID-19 (‘Long COVID’) are not a contraindication to COVID-19 vaccines but do warrant a clinical discussion with the patient.
Pregnancy is not a valid reason for exemption in the absence of any of the criteria listed above.
ASSESSMENT OF SERIOUS ADVERSE EVENTS FOLLOWING IMMUNISATION (AEFI)
An adverse event is considered serious if it:
• requires in-patient hospitalisation or prolongation of existing hospitalisation OR results in persistent or significant disability/ incapacity OR is potentially life-threatening.
AND
• has been reported to a state/territory adverse event surveillance system and/or the TGA.
AND
• has been determined following review by, and/or on the opinion of, an experienced immunisation provider/medical specialist to be associated with a risk of recurrence of the serious adverse event if another dose is given.
Assessment of an adverse event following immunisation (AEFI) requires detailed information on the event, a determination of the likelihood of a causal link with vaccination, as well as the severity of the condition.
Examples of serious AEFIs include: thrombosis with thrombocytopenia (TTS) following Vaxzevria (COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca); medically significant illnesses (e.g. immune thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP), myocarditis); potentially life-threatening events (e.g. anaphylaxis); and/or persistent
or significant disability (e.g. Guillain-Barré Syndrome). These reactions do not include common expected local or systemic reactions known to occur within the first few days after vaccination.
Attributing a serious adverse event to a previous dose of a COVID-19 vaccine may require discussion with the individual’s GP, local immunisation service or relevant medical specialist.
IF YOU BELIEVE YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR AN EXEMPTION OR YOU HAVE AN EXEMPTION THAT YOUR EMPLOYER WILL NOT UPHOLD, PLEASE LET ME KNOW SO I CAN TAKE ACTION.
Please contact me using the form below. Your details will be treated with sensitivity and confidentiality by my office.
If you have experienced an adverse reaction, you may choose to report that separately to this exemption form.
Covid Vaccine Injury/Death Report Form (18yrs+)
Covid Vaccine Injury/Death Report Form (Under 18yrs)
Covid Vaccine Stillbirth/Miscarriage Report Form