Australia’s government could be forced to spend tens of millions in payouts after receiving more than 10,000 compensation claims from people who suffered side effects and loss of income due to COVID-19 vaccines.

Under its no-fault indemnity scheme, eligible claimants can apply for compensation amounts between AU$5,000 (US$3,646) to AU$20,000 (US$14,585) to cover medical costs and lost wages as a result of being hospitalized after getting the shot. The scheme’s online portal is scheduled to be launched next month.

Official figures suggest, however, that over 10,000 people have already indicated their intention to make a claim since registration opened on the health department’s website in September. If each claim was approved, the government could face a bill of at least AU$50 million (US$36.46 million).

Harold Molle

Harold Molle is one of those, developing a blood clot in his leg three days after his second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine. After being admitted to hospital, Molle’s leg needed to be amputated.

“It was excruciating pain
It’s going to cost me now, I’ve got to get an artificial leg and a wheelchair.”

To be able to claim, a patient needs to have spent at least one night in hospital and be able to show medical evidence of the injury and its link to a COVID-19 vaccine. Claimants also need to show medical expenses and proof of lost income.