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Summarised by Centrist
A new web series aims to give a public voice to New Zealanders who say they suffered serious and lasting injuries after receiving COVID vaccines, and who feel they have been sidelined by the health system ever since.
The series, The Tribute, centres on personal testimony rather than policy debate, focusing on what its creators describe as a gap between official assurances and lived experience.
The first episode, released on Thursday, tells the story of Ange, a Tauranga woman, former yoga teacher and rest home healthcare worker. According to the series, Ange received a Pfizer mRNA vaccine dose in 2021. Minutes later, she reportedly developed severe chest pain and presented to an emergency department, where she says she was told she was the fourth patient that day with similar symptoms.
The series is co-produced by award-winning filmmaker Gaylene Barnes, who said it examines how people reporting vaccine injuries were treated once they entered the health system. “Many are seriously ill, yet they are still fighting for care and financial support,” Barnes said.
The series also raises concerns about access to compensation. After a three-year process with ACC, Ange received partial support for treatment and medical aids.
Medsafe’s Suspected Medicine Adverse Reaction Search database records more than 12,000 reports of chest discomfort following the Comirnaty vaccine up to November 2024, noting that the system relies on voluntary reporting.
The Tribute will release weekly episodes online.
