ESSSuper has released a statement assuring its members that COVID-19 vaccinations won’t invalidate their benefits following social media rumours the vaccines were classified as experimental medical treatments.
The Fund said rumours its members’ ESSSuper Defined Benefit (DB) death or disability benefits or Accumulation Plan (AP) insurance could be voided it they received a COVID-19 vaccine were false.
“Throughout this coronavirus pandemic, our members have been the heroes on the front line and we remain committed to supporting you,” ESSSuper said.
“We’d like to assure all our vaccinated members that you’re still covered,” it said.
“You can be confident that when you get vaccinated, your life insurance will be with you every step of the way, completely unaffected.”
ESSSuper said its members’ DB death and disablement benefits were underwritten by the Victorian Government and any AP Death, Disability and/or Income Protection Insurance benefits a member held were underwritten by AIA.
“These benefits are there to provide you with the peace of mind that you and your family are covered should the unfortunate arise,” it said.
“Should the unfortunate occur, and you have an adverse reaction from the vaccine, you will still be covered at claim time.”
ESSSuper said to combat the false rumours, the Financial Services Council (FSC) had also released a statement which explained that getting vaccinated at an approved medical facility by a qualified professional didn’t count as a “self-inflicted injury”.
Chief Executive of FSC, Sally Loane described the rumours as “scaremongering gone wrong”.
“It is entirely inappropriate and needs to stop immediately,” Ms Loane said.
