Evidence base behind the ATAGI expanded guidance on acute major medical conditions that warrant a temporary medical exemption relevant for COVID-19 vaccines Updated: 24 January 2022
Dear Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI),
I would appreciate it please if you could please inform myself, (and the community at large), regarding the evidence base behind reducing the temporary exemption period from 6 to 4 months for the temporary deferral of a COVID vaccination, following infection? (This information should be readily accessible and referenced at the bottom of the online document).
I note that the WHO's last Scientific Brief regarding natural immunity, that has not required to have been updated since May, 2021 states "Available scientific data suggests that in most people immune responses remain robust and protective against reinfection for at least 6-8 months after infection (the longest follow up with strong scientific evidence is currently approximately 8 months)".
I also have been told by my Immunologist that I likely had a mild COVID infection back- to- back (along with my son), since it takes 5-6 weeks to make sufficient antibodies post-infection. What is the evidence for timeframes for vaccination post-infection for ourselves, when we have effectively had a natural infection with a natural booster? What is the possibility of acquiring vaccine- induced immuno-deficiency and/or antibody dependent enhancement if we are vaccinated too soon?
I am also at the disadvantage that I contracted the second COVID infection only 3 weeks following the first infection. I registered, but was discouraged by a Queensland Health Fever Clinic to have another PCR on the 18.01.22, (that my son tested positive later from the PCR test that he had that day) as I was told that I would still test positive from the first infection and may need to isolate unnecessarily, had my son been negative. I was also discouraged due to the cost of PCR tests and that it was Queensland Health and Government policy at the time, (I have screenshots for evidence), to not have a PCR within 4 weeks of infection. I was unable to access any RATs despite multiple efforts and I was told by the Fever Clinic that I would also still test positive from initial infection on a RAT, within 4 weeks of initial infection anyway.
Consequently, I have no PCR result to confirm that the respiratory infection that I developed at the same time (17.01.22) as my son (who was positive), was definitely COVID or not, due to Queensland Health/Government policy.
Could you please advise what steps ATAGI are taking to consider:
1) people needing to defer their vaccination due to back-to- back COVID infections and information needed to be provided regarding appropriate, evidence-based and safe timeframes for vaccination following infection,
2) people requesting a vaccine passport exemption when they have been declined and deterred from having a PCR by the Queensland Government, and a PCR result is required to have a temporary exemption and lastly,
3) people who have natural immunity and how ATAGI guidelines regarding exemptions from COVID vaccination are remaining contemporary and consistent with scientific data and national and overseas surveillance reports (where natural immunity is currently superior to the presently available vaccines, i.e. Pfizer, Moderna & Astra Zeneca manufactured)?
Thank- you for consideration of these matters.
Yours faithfully,
Yasmin Chamarette
Dear Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI),
Hello,
I am still awaiting a response to my enquiry above. By law, ATAGI should have responded by the 7.03.2022.
I would appreciate a prompt response please.
Yours faithfully,
Yasmin Chamarette
Good afternoon Yasmin
Thank you for your email of 3 February 2022 to the ATAGI secretariat. I note an additional email was received from you today that indicates you were expecting this to be managed as a Freedom of Information (FOI) request. Please accept our apologies for the delay in response.
Your email has now been sent to the appropriate area managing FOI requests on behalf of the Department of Health.
A representative from the Department will be in touch with you in response to your FOI request.
Kind regards
Suzanne
Suzanne
Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI)
COVID-19 Working Group Secretariat
Medical Policy and Commonwealth State Engagement
National COVID Vaccine Taskforce
E: [email address]
GPO Box 9848, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
We acknowledge the traditional owners of country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to elders both past and present.
Dear Ms Chamarette
I refer to your email of 8 March 2022 to the Australian Technical Advisory
Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) requesting access to the following
documents:
‘I would appreciate it please if you could please inform myself, (and the
community at large), regarding the evidence base behind reducing the
temporary exemption period from 6 to 4 months for the temporary deferral
of a COVID vaccination, following infection?’
Your email was forwarded to the FOI Unit of the Department of Health (the
department) on 16 March 2022 and is being processed as a request under the
Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) (FOI Act).
The department’s web page provides information on how to make FOI requests
to the department:
[1]https://www.health.gov.au/about-us/corpo....
Paragraph 15(2A)(c) of the FOI Act enables applicants to make FOI requests
electronically ‘to an electronic address specified by the agency.’ Please
note that the electronic address specified by the department for receiving
FOI requests electronically is: [2][email address].
Notice of Third Party Consultation
It appears, from the documents to which you seek access, a third party may
reasonably wish to make a contention concerning possible exemption of some
of the documents. Accordingly, Mr Dave McNally, Assistant Secretary,
Medical Policy & Commonwealth State Engagement Branch, an officer
authorised under subsection 23(1) of the FOI Act to make decisions in
relation to freedom of information requests, has determined the
requirements of section 27 of the FOI Act make it appropriate to extend
the time frame for dealing with your request.
Pursuant to subsection 15(6) of the FOI Act, the period for providing you
with a decision has been extended by a further period of 30 days. This
means the department will endeavour to provide you with a decision on or
before 16 May 2022.
Relevant provisions
The FOI Act, including the provisions referred to in this email, can be
accessed from the Federal Register of Legislation website.
If you require clarification of any of the matters discussed in this email
you should contact the department’s FOI Unit on (02) 6289 1666, or by
email at [3][email address].
Kind regards
François
Freedom of Information Section
Legal Advice & Legislation Branch
[4]cid:image003.png@01D51610.1D98D220
Legal & Assurance Division | Corporate Operations Group
Legal Advice & Legislation Branch
Australian Government Department of Health
T: (02) 6289 1666 | E: [5][email address]
Location: 260 Elizabeth Street, Sydney
GPO Box 9848, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
The Department of Health acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of
Australia and their continued connection to land, sea and community. We
pay our respects to all Elders past and present.
If you receive this email in error, please delete it and contact the
sender immediately.
"Important: This transmission is intended only for the use of the
addressee and may contain confidential or legally privileged information.
If you are not the intended recipient, you are notified that any use or
dissemination of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you
receive this transmission in error please notify the author immediately
and delete all copies of this transmission."
References
Visible links
1. https://www.health.gov.au/about-us/corpo...
2. mailto:[email address]
3. mailto:[email address]
5. mailto:[email address]
Dear Ms Chamarette,
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST – NOTIFICATION OF RECEIPT
I am writing to in relation to your email sent on 4 February 2022 to the
Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) for
information concerning the evidence base behind the ATAGI expanded
guidance on acute major medical conditions that warrant a temporary
medical exemption relevant for COVID-19 vaccines.
ATAGI is not an independent entity for the purposes of the FOI Act, and is
part of the Department of Health. Your request has therefore been passed
to the Department’s FOI team for consideration.
A request for access to documents must provide sufficient information as
is reasonably necessary to enable a responsible officer in the Department
to identify the document(s) requested. The FOI Act does not provide a
mechanism for questions to be raised and answers provided, and it does not
require the department to create a response to such questions, except in
very limited circumstances. A large part of your request does not meet the
validity requirements of the FOI Act as it poses a series of questions.
However, to assist you, we understand that you are seeking access to the
following documents:
The evidence base behind reducing the temporary exemption period from 6 to
4 months for the temporary deferral of a COVID vaccination, following
infection?
The statutory timeframe for processing your request is 30 calendar days
within which a decision on access to the requested documents is to be
notified.
The department may impose a charge for the work involved in providing
access to the documents. If this request attracts a charge you will be
notified in writing.
Unless you advise otherwise, draft and duplicate documents and
Commonwealth employee names and contact details below Senior Executive
Service level and mobile telephone numbers of all staff will be excluded
from the scope of your request under s22(1)(a)(ii) of the FOI Act.
You can contact the FOI Unit via email at [1][email address], should you
have any questions.
Kind regards
FOI Officer
Freedom of Information Section
Legal & Assurance Division | Corporate Operations Group
Legal Advice & Legislation Branch
Australian Government Department of Health
E: [2][email address]
GPO Box 9848, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
The Department of Health acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of
Australia and their continued connection to land, sea and community. We
pay our respects to all Elders past and present.
If you receive this email in error, please delete it and contact the
sender immediately.
"Important: This transmission is intended only for the use of the
addressee and may contain confidential or legally privileged information.
If you are not the intended recipient, you are notified that any use or
dissemination of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you
receive this transmission in error please notify the author immediately
and delete all copies of this transmission."
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. mailto:[email address]
Dear Ms Chamarette
Please find attached correspondence in relation to your Freedom of
Information request to the Department of Health. The released documents
are also enclosed.
Document 2 is also available online at:
[1]Clinical recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines | Australian Government
Department of Health
Kind regards
François
François Murat
FOI Case Officer
Freedom of Information Section
Legal Advice & Legislation Branch
Legal & Assurance Division | Corporate Operations Group
Legal Advice & Legislation Branch
Australian Government Department of Health
T: 02 9263 3720 | E: [2][email address]
Location: Level 10, 260 Elizabeth Street, Sydney
GPO Box 9848, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
The Department of Health acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of
Australia and their continued connection to land, sea and community. We
pay our respects to all Elders past and present.
If you receive this email in error, please delete it and contact the
sender immediately.
"Important: This transmission is intended only for the use of the
addressee and may contain confidential or legally privileged information.
If you are not the intended recipient, you are notified that any use or
dissemination of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you
receive this transmission in error please notify the author immediately
and delete all copies of this transmission."
References
Visible links
1. https://www.health.gov.au/initiatives-an...
2. mailto:[email address]