Australians who suffer a serious side effect from a coronavirus jab will have “front door” access to compensation, the federal government has announced. Health professionals who administer doses will also be afforded legal protection under the newly-announced COVID-19 Vaccine Claim Scheme. The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and Australian Retail Association, among others, welcomed the provisions. Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt says the no fault scheme will provide “a simple and quick administrative process for compensation” and will be backdated to February 2021. “Side effects, or adverse events, from COVID-19 vaccinations can occur but most are mild and last no longer than a couple of days,” he said on Saturday. “Serious and life-threatening side effects are very rare but it is important that we provide a safety net to support those affected.” Hunt said the tax-payer funded scheme would be administered by Services Australia, with Australians who suffer injury and loss of income …