More than 10,000 Australians have filed injury claims with the federal government's no-fault indemnity scheme after getting their coronavirus vaccine.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports there is a hefty bill on the horizon if these people are able to prove they were adversely affected from getting the Covid-19 jab.
The federal health department opened up applications for Aussies to register their interest in making a claim back in September and there has been a huge response.
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Services Australia is gearing up to launch the official portal next month for the claims to be lodged.
They could be eligible for uncapped claims above $5,000 if they successfully claim they suffered injury and a loss of income because they couldn't work after getting the jab.
The government is expected to pay for people's medical costs and any lost wages as a result of the vaccine injury and, if all claims get approved, the bill could be upwards of $50 million.
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The Therapeutic Goods Administration has recorded a little less than 79,000 adverse reactions to the coronavirus vaccine since the rollout began.
While that sounds like a lot of people (and it is), it only represents 0.21 per cent of the 37.8 million doses that have been dished out to people across the country.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the majority of these reactions were minor, like a headache, nausea or a sore arm.
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Shine Lawyers head of medical negligence Clare Eves told the newspaper the bill could be very high for people who suffered something more serious.
"Adverse events, even though they happen to a tiny proportion of people, for the people it does impact it's really quite devastating," Ms Eves said.
"When you're dealing with something like a stroke, you could have someone who is a truck driver and can't go back to work, or an accountant who can't process big numbers anymore.
"In severe cases, people go on to have multiple strokes and may need 24-hour care."
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The government hasn't revealed what the standard of proof will be necessary to work out a person's adverse reaction to the jab.
Anyone who registers a claim and is seeking less than $20,000 in damages will have to present medical costs, evidence of lost wages as well as direct proof the vaccine caused the injury.
Aussies who are seeking more than $20,000 will have their case handled by a 'panel of independent legal experts and compensation paid based on their recommendations'.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Australia