Push for Release of COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Monitoring Documents Rejected by Senate

‘It’s an unacceptable diversion of departmental resources,’ Senator Katy Gallagher said.

A healthcare worker prepares a COVID-19 vaccine in a file photograph. Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

A motion from Liberal Senator Alex Antic calling on the government to release COVID-19 vaccine safety information has failed to pass the Senate.

The motion pushed for the release of all documents since February 2021 that show evidence the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) implemented and adhered to its COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Monitoring Plan.

The plan was published in February 2021 by the TGA, the body responsible for approving and regulating COVID-19 vaccines in Australia.

“The rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines meant that the typical regulatory approval and production processes were being expedited using the TGA’s provisional approval pathway, which allows for temporary registration of new medicines,” Antic said.

No Need To Release Documents

Labor Senator Katy Gallagher rejected the motion and accused Antic of being “anti-vaccination.”