Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Hansard source

I haven't read the paper that Senator Roberts is citing, but, in answer to his question 'Are the vaccines safe?' yes, they are. The successful deployment of vaccinations across the world has prevented probably millions of deaths from COVID-19, particularly in those vulnerable populations such as older people, people who have a disability or people who are immunocompromised.

We've done very well here in Australia. We've got some more to do in terms of fourth doses, where it's still only about 40 per cent of eligible people who have received their fourth dose. But the vaccine is safe. It's been an incredibly effective health measure to manage the pandemic, to protect lives and to protect economic loss that would have otherwise occurred from such a serious global pandemic.

We have put our trust in the health experts in Australia from the beginning of this pandemic. Their advice hasn't changed. ATAGI have considered all the matters, the scientific panel has looked at them and the TGA has approved the vaccines. They have been through rigorous processes to ensure that they are safe, and where there have been adverse events—and there have been, unfortunately, including serious adverse events and the loss of life—the advice has changed and the vaccine program was changed to deal with that. Where there have been adverse events, they have all been reported publicly on the TGA website, so that people are able to see the data and see the changing health advice around the vaccines. But, yes, they are safe and people should have their vaccine, including their fourth dose. (Time expired)