Covid vax fraud charge: woman coerced to have the jab

A woman approached a vulnerable woman and took her to a vaccination clinic to get the jab on her behalf, a court has heard.

A woman accused of paying a vulnerable Mount Barker woman $500 to make her get a Covid-19 vaccination on her behalf, has appeared in court for the first time.

The Chapel Hill woman, 52, fronted the Mount Barker Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, charged with deception and dishonest dealing with documents.

Police allege the woman paid Tanya Marshall $500 to receive the vaccine in her name as she required a proof of vaccination for her employment.

Speaking outside of court, Ms Marshall said because of underlying heart and lung conditions, she thought she would die if she had the jab.

She said she was approached by the woman at a bank on January 10, who asked for her personal details and offered her money to take the jab.

“I was scared of having it because I thought I was gonna die,” Ms Marshall said.

Sisters Fran Perkins and Tanya Marshall outside the Mt Barker Magistrates Court. Picture: Patrick James

Ms Marshall’s sister, Fran Perkins, 64, said she was “really angry” at what had occurred.

“She’s not supposed to be vaccinated because ... she’s got a heart condition,” Ms Perkins said.

Ms Perkins, who has power of attorney for her sister, said she found out about Ms Marshall’s vaccination status by accident during a discussion about international travel.

“She told me she was wanting to go to Scotland and I said ‘Oh Tanya you have to get vaccinated,’ and she said ‘I got vaccinated and the lady gave me some money’,” Ms Perkins said.

“I just lost it went to the police station.”

Ms Marshall said she had experienced chest pains, anxiety attacks and breathing issues after having the vaccine due to underlying health conditions.

The accused will return to court in July.