It's time we talk more about vaccine injury

As anyone who knows me would be aware, I am very health anxious. In my mind, a headache is almost always the first sign of a stroke, my heart skipping a beat means imminent cardiac arrest, and a twitch in the calf is a symptom of neurodegenerative disease.

My latest freak-out had me convinced I have epilepsy. So my doctor very magnanimously referred me to a neurophysiologist to get an EEG. It was with her that I had a very interesting conversation.?

When I asked her what it is that people come in to be tested for, she told me “Lately, a lot of encephalitis.” Naturally, I assumed it was because of COVID-19. But when I put that to her, she retorted. “No, because of the vaccine”.

She went on to tell me the high number of people she’s tested with brain inflammation following the vaccine. She also told me about the flak she copped when making the link, and the pushback she has received trying to report it.

It was a coincidental chat, because, during the week, the highly respected Dr. Kerryn Phelps revealed she and her partner suffered injury from vaccines that have resulted in lingering neurological symptoms.

Now, before anyone gets worked up in a pro-vaccine or anti-vaccine fervour here, Dr. Phelps's message isn’t that the vaccines are bad. For what it’s worth, neither is mine. The overarching point is that there’s a lack of data on vaccine injury, and certain obstacles mean that it’s underreported.

This is important for several reasons. One, as the neurophysiologist told me, some people with vaccine injuries have been dismissed and subsequently encouraged to get their next jab, which ended up causing even greater harm. Another is for those who might face adverse effects from vaccines; other public policy measures may be required to protect and treat them.

The third – and I’d say the most important – reason is public trust and the ability to implement effective health policy. Clearly, misinformation and alarmism undermine public health outcomes. But suppressing and denying any questioning or criticism distorts the data and creates the perception that there’s something to hide.

As someone who is hypervigilant about their health, trusting authorities is vital. I’ve had three COVID-19 shots and will probably get my fourth. But I want to feel confident I am making the decision with the best information available.