Victorian hotel workers in Covid-19 vaccine scare

Three Victorian hotel quarantine workers injected with the Pfizer vaccine suffered side-effects so serious paramedics were called and they were taken to hospital.

The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. Picture: AFP

Three Victorian hotel quarantine workers injected with the Pfizer vaccine suffered side-effects so serious paramedics were called and they were taken to hospital.

Confidential Quarantine Victoria incident reports reveal the workers were struck with debilitating pain, nausea, poor vision and physical weakness within minutes of receiving the vaccine earlier this month.

The reports, obtained by The Australian, reveal the first worker — a “swabbing team member” who tests returned travellers for COVID-19 — was vaccinated at 5.10pm on March 31 at the InterContinental Hotel in Collins Street, Melbourne.

The incident report states that within minutes the worker’s health deteriorated: “DHHS Swabbing Team member was ­administered first dose of the Pfizer Vaccination. At 1718 Reaction to Vaccination was witnessed. At 1725 DHHS Swabbing Team Doctor presented. At 1730 Vitals Checked. Patient reported Headache, Nausea and Left side weakness. At 1755 Left Side vision Changed. At 1755 Paramedics ­arrived. At 1805 Paramedics ­departed with patient. Patient was conscious.”

On April 6, at the Park Royal Hotel at Melbourne Airport, a ­female worker received the Pfizer jab at 9.37am. Within two minutes she suffered serious side-­effects.

The incident report states: “Ambulance called due to ­reaction from the vaccination. At 0937 hotel staff member was ­administered the Pfizer vaccine. At 0939 the staff member advised that they were not feeling well and ­experienced a vasovagal event.

“She was immediately transferred to the bed and given oxygen. At 1019 the staff member advised she was getting a headache. At 1036 the staff member advised that they were feeling chest pains. An ambulance was called. At 1043 the staff member felt strong headache, moderate central chest pain and tingling in the legs.

“Paramedics arrived at 1048 (first response) and at 1106 (second response). At 1113 the staff member was transferred to the Northern Hospital in a stable condition for monitoring.”

The third case was reported at 7.50pm on April 8 at the Mercure Welcome Hotel in the city.

“Approx 1hr after (redacted) was administered with his second dose of Pfizer vaccine, he had a ­severe reaction comprising of low blood pressure, cold sweats, shivering and nausea,” the incident report states. “AH Clinical Lead (redacted), requesting a Doctor to attend. Onsite Doctor (staff swabbing) (redacted) attended and provided support. Recommendation was made to call paramedics. AH called 000 at 1950.

“(Redacted) was triaged and stabilised on site before transferring to RMH.”

There was no information in the incident reports about the current condition of the three staff members. The Australian contacted Quarantine Victoria for comment but did not receive a response before deadline.

The incident reports also ­reveal several others cases of less serious side-effects among hotel quarantine workers.

According to one incident log, on April 1 at 7pm a staff member vaccinated the previous day ­reported flu-like symptoms.

“Staff member stated she had taken Panadol prior to coming to work today due to experiencing flu like symptoms. Staff member looked visibly ill.

“SM enquired to whether she was alright to get home, (redacted) advised that she was. (Redacted) stated she had already had her nasal swab done during today’s shift. SM isolated (redacted) in the OSO breakout room and both SM and (redacted) donned N95’s.

“SM cleared the foyer and then sent (redacted) to the lobby in an exclusive lift, SM accompanied (redacted) through the exit process. SM advised (redacted) that she should not be attending work at all if feeling any symptoms, (redacted) understood this communication.

“SM advised (redacted) to stay at home until she returns a negative and that she should provide the negative result to an SM. The lobby, the lift and the OSO breakout area was touchpoint cleaned after (redacted) had left the ­building.”

On April 7, at the Pullman on Swanston, a female worker reported experiencing “flu like” symptoms at 12.30, having been vaccinated at 9.40am.

“SM (redacted) was informed of her symptoms and that they had begun shortly after her vaccination,” the incident report states.

“(redacted) from IPC advised to exit staff member without touch point clean if Alfred clinical lead deemed the symptoms a side effect of vaccination. Alfred Lead (redacted) confirmed this.”