COVID-19 Vaccine Injury Compensation Payouts to Drop 60 Percent, Says Australian Government

A COVID-19 vaccine is prepared at Sydney Road Family Medical Practice in Balgowlah in Sydney, Australia on Jan. 10, 2022. Jenny Evans/Getty Images

The Australian government could end up paying a much smaller amount to COVID-19 vaccine injury claimants, according to the latest budget figures.

Previously the Department of Social Services (DSS) estimated the government’s COVID-19 Vaccine Claim Scheme could cost taxpayers $76.9 million (US$51.98 million) over the 2022-23 period.