Filing a vaccine injury claim and providing an approved COVID-19 vaccine exemption in Alberta has become a daunting task for many physicians across the province..Dr. Gregory Chan, a family physician in central Alberta, told the Western Standard he has submitted between 40 to 50 adverse event reports to AHS..The Ponoka-based doctor said of his submitted reports, he has only received feedback from AHS for about half, “usually a request for more clarification,” he said.Chan said he has not received any word from AHS on the other half of his submissions, but said in all but one of the cases, AHS said the patient should get their second dose..“It’s not an open system which is part of the frustration,” said Chan..“If my patient says they have had an adverse reaction, I believe them. Thankfully most of the reactions have been minor but some have been severe and at the end of the day, AHS is still recommending they get their second dose.”.“Then, for me, it becomes challenging for me to help them navigate the system. There’s really no clear way to advise them.”.According to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) website, the regulatory body that oversees physicians in the province, the only adverse event that qualifies for an approved exemption is an anaphylactic allergic reaction..Under the CPSA guidelines, a physician who provides an exemption inconsistent with its policies could be investigated for unprofessional conduct..Chan said he’s also careful to “review the full history of the patient” before submitting the adverse event report, which can be a lengthy process..UCP MLA Shane Getson went public in early February and spoke about his vaccine injury suffered after the first Pfizer dose he received in October of last year..The Lac Ste. Anne-Parkland MLA told the Western Standard as a private pilot, he held off from getting his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine until he completed his annual aviation medical exam which showed Getson had no previous complication or pre-existing medical issues..“Since my shot, I had nothing but autoimmune-related issues … aches, pains, and loss of mobility in my right arm. (I took the shot in the left),” said Getson in a Facebook post in February..Getson said the process to submit his vaccine injury has been difficult and lengthy..“There really isn’t a succinct process and family doctors can’t readily report these things,” said Getson, who indicated his family doctor sent him to a specialist to help determine what was causing his immune response..After dealing with several health issues — including autoimmune-related issues including an intense swelling of his face and a rash developing on his legs — following his first dose of the Pfizer vaccine, Getson was diagnosed as having an adverse reaction to the vaccine by a dermatologist..Unwilling to risk another adverse reaction with a second dose, Getson said he is still working through the process to get an exemption letter..Getson, who’s still dealing with autoimmune issues today, said he has heard from many doctors and medical practitioners who are feeling under stress and pressure when it comes to reporting vaccine injuries..“One specialist said it’s like coming up to a car accident and seeing it with your own eyes, but you can’t report it as a car accident. So, it’s like they have to pretend they’re not seeing a car accident,” said Getson..“Some have told me it’s the most difficult thing they have ever faced.”.In January, Getson said he ended up in the emergency room with an extremely swollen face..“When I was in there, the triage nurse was openly talking to me telling me she couldn’t believe how busy it was and I was the third person she had seen that night with similar issues related to an adverse reaction to the vaccine.”.Getson said he gets the idea from medical professionals there is recognition inside the medical system of the issue of vaccine injuries, “but it’s like the medical community can’t let on that there is an issue.”.“It seems to be a systemic issue that needs to be resolved,” he said..In Alberta, AHS created the Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFI) reporting system for all healthcare practitioners..Doctors, based on Alberta’s immunization regulation, are required to submit an AEFI report form within three days of determining or being informed of a patient experiencing an adverse event following immunization..According to the AHS website:.An AEFI is defined as an unfavourable health occurrence experienced by a patient that:.Follows immunizationCannot be attributed to a pre-existing condition andMeets one or more of the following as determined by a health practitioner:A life-threatening health occurrence that requires hospitalization or urgent medical attention.The health occurrence is unusual or unexpected that:Has not previously been identified; orHas been previously identified but has increased frequencyThe health occurrence cannot be explained by the patient’s medical history, recent disease or illness or consumption of medication..The AEFI reporting form requires the practitioner to enter their information, details of the patient and information about their immunization including date, time, facility and what vaccine they received..It also requires information on symptoms, dates the symptoms started and resolved, if applicable and any additional information..According to the AEFI policy, the first level of reporting is by a health practitioner to the AHS centralized intake system where “AHS will provide and/or recommend appropriate client follow-up.”.The second level of reporting is from AHS to Alberta Health and only for “adverse events that meet the case definitions for reporting.”.A list of reportable adverse events following immunization can be found in section “V” on the Government of Alberta website..AHS told the Western Standard the AEFI team is made up of registered nurses. When a report is received from a health practitioner, a team member contacts the client to get more specifics about their reaction and may contact the practitioner for additional information..Individuals wanting to report an adverse event are directed to contact 811 or talk to their doctor..The federal government created a program where Canadians who believe they have experienced a health issue as a result of a vaccine can submit a claim..The Vaccine Injury Support Program (VISP) website says an individual must have received a Health Canada authorized vaccine in Canada on or after December 8, 2020 to qualify. It also says the person or family member must have suffered a serious and permanent injury or have died to submit a claim..“A serious and permanent injury is defined as a severe, life-threatening or life-altering injury that may require in-person hospitalization, or a prolongation of existing hospitalization, and results in persistent or significant disability or incapacity, or where the outcome is a congenital malformation or health,” said the site..Health Canada set aside $75 million to fund financial settlements for vaccine-injured Canadians. Those who suffer injury or family members of someone who dies as a result of the COVID-19 vaccine have the next five years to submit their complaint to the federal health agency..Eligible individuals may be compensated for income replacement, injury indemnities, death benefits, coverage for funeral expenses and reimbursement of costs of uncovered medical expenses. Compensation amounts will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, according to the website..A memo from the health department said although injuries were rare, they were not unprecedented..The Public Health Agency confirmed “adverse reaction” reports included 306 deaths, 123 cases of Guillain-Barré Syndrome, 78 cases in which expectant mothers lost their babies, 57 cases of “acute kidney injury” and 47 heart attacks. The most common serious side effect, myocarditis or heart inflammation, affected 1,886 people..According to data from the Government of Canada up to and including March 13, nearly 31 million Canadians have been double vaccinated and more than 32 million have received at least one dose..Newfoundland and Labrador has the highest rate of at least one-dose vaccination among eligible population at 96%. Alberta has the lowest rate with 80% of the eligible population at least one-dose vaccinated..Suspiciously high rates of myocarditis prompted the National Advisory Committee on Immunization to issue an Updated Recommendation in early December stating young men and boys aged 12 to 29 should no longer take the Moderna vaccine. Reports of heart inflammation typically involved men aged 27..Melanie Risdon is a reporter with the Western Standard.,.mrisdon@westernstandardonline.com
