Health insurance customers reassured over vaccine

Southern Cross is reassuring its customers their insurance won’t be affected if they are vaccinated against Covid-19. The insurerwas addressing misinformation circulating on social media, which claimed vaccination would invalidate its customers’ health and life insurance policies. Dr Stephen Child, chief medical officer for Southern Cross Health Insurance, said: ‘‘In Newzealand, acute care is provided by the public health system so if treatment is needed urgently after receiving a vaccine, you should go directly to the accident and emergency unit at your nearest public hospital.’’ Treatment and support for people who experienced an adverse reaction to any vaccinewas provided by ACC, provided its criteriawas met. ‘‘This is why vaccine-related treatment injury is a standard exclusion in our health insurance plans,’’ Child said.