Blog

COVID-19 vaccine update – exemptions

There’s been a lot of discussion lately around medical exemptions to COVID-19 vaccinations, with an increasing number of people approaching their GP to ask for an exemption. It’s important to know, however, that exemptions for vaccination are extremely rare and can only be granted for very specific reasons.

In this month’s blog, we clear up any confusion about medical exemptions for COVID-19 vaccines.

Medical Exemptions

There are very few situations that warrant a medical exemption to COVID-19 vaccines. Generally, if people are unable to have one of the available vaccines they should be able to have one of the others, as the substances used in each vaccine are different.

The medical exemption criteria that GPs and vaccine providers in Australia must adhere to are determined by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) and endorsed by the Australian Government. There is no discretion allowed under this criteria.

Valid Reasons for Exemption

In Australia, the only reasons that count as valid reasons for a medical exemption for vaccination are if you:

  • have had anaphylaxis after a previous dose of a vaccine;
  • have had anaphylaxis after a dose of any component of a vaccine; or
  • are significantly immunocompromised (for live vaccines only).

ATAGI has also recently allowed for temporary exemptions for the COVID-19 vaccine.

However, this exemption only allows for a deferral of the vaccine for those who meet specific criteria.

Reasons for Temporary Deferral

This includes people who:

  • have some acute medical conditions, such as undergoing major surgery or hospital admission for a serious illness;
  • have had inflammatory cardiac illness within the past 6 months (applies to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines only);
  • have PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV- 2 infection. Vaccination can be temporarily deferred until complete recovery from the acute illness (which may be up to 6 months), regardless of disease severity. Chronic symptoms following COVID-19 (what is known as ‘long COVID’) is not a cause for exemption but should be discussed with your doctor; or
  • experience serious adverse events (admitted to hospital) attributed to a previous dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and without another cause identified.

Invalid Reasons for Exemption

The following are NOT valid reasons for a medical exemption for vaccination:

  • acute anxiety
  • vaccine hesitancy
  • mild illness without fever (i.e. a temperature below 38.5oC)
  • family history of adverse events following immunisation
  • history of convulsions
  • treatment with antibiotics
  • treatment with locally acting steroids, inhaled or low dose topical
  • replacement corticosteroids
  • asthma, eczema, atopy, hay fever or sniffles
  • previous infection with the same pathogen
  • neurological conditions, including cerebral palsy and Down Syndrome
  • contact with an infectious disease
  • pregnancy
  • breastfeeding
  • recent or planned surgery

To date, only 0.005% (or 1,600 people) of Australians have had an adverse reaction to a vaccine or have an illness that makes them significantly immunocompromised and required them to forgo the vaccine.

As noted by the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA), people who have had an adverse reaction to one of the vaccines, or have an allergy to an ingredient in the vaccine, should discuss having one of the other vaccines that does not contain that ingredient with their clinical immunology/allergy specialist.

COVID-19 Vaccine Safety

COVID-19 vaccines have been demonstrated worldwide to be safe and effective and are recommended for all Australian’s from 12 years of age.

All vaccines used in Australia, including those used to protect against COVID-19, are thoroughly tested and monitored to ensure their ongoing safety.

A number of people may experience some side effects following vaccination. These are usually mild and most commonly include:

  • pain, redness, swelling or itching at the injection site
  • fatigue
  • headache
  • muscle or joint pain
  • gastrointestinal symptoms
  • fever

These symptoms typically start within 24 hours of vaccination, last one to two days, and resolve without treatment.

If you are concerned about your symptoms, you should seek advice from your doctor. If you believe your reaction is severe or life threatening, please phone 000 for an ambulance or go to your closest emergency department.

For the latest information on COVID-19 vaccine safety data in Australia, visit www.ausvaxsafety.org.au

Book in for your COVID-19 vaccine

Illawarra Medical Centre is an approved provider of COVID-19 vaccines. To book in for your vaccination with us, make an appointment online or contact us on (08) 9208 6400.

If you have any questions or concerns about COVID-19 vaccines or your current available vaccine options, please book a regular appointment with your GP to discuss prior to making your vaccination booking.

For more information, visit our COVID-19 Vaccines page.

For more information on this topic, visit: