Witness Testimony

Vanessa Rocchio testified that she received a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine dose in May 2021 and was hospitalized 12 days later with what physicians identified as a heart attack based on elevated troponin levels. She described experiencing widespread body aches, centered chest pain, shallow breathing, and emergency admission to hospital in Duncan, followed by transfer to Victoria for an angiogram. Diagnostic imaging, including an angiogram and later cardiac MRI, reportedly showed no visible structural abnormalities, yet she was advised she had experienced a cardiac event and was unable to drive for a period following hospitalization.
Rocchio stated that she had no prior heart conditions and that recovery took approximately eight months, during which she experienced erratic blood pressure readings and was unable to work in her high-stress real estate profession, resulting in significant income loss. She testified that she asked both her general practitioner and cardiologist for a vaccine exemption but was denied. Although a cardiologist later submitted an adverse reaction report, she stated that the documentation did not attribute the event to the vaccine and did not result in an exemption. She did not receive a second dose.
She further testified that she was not informed of potential adverse reactions at the vaccination site and did not feel she was provided sufficient information to give informed consent. She described being monitored briefly due to a penicillin allergy but stated that contraindications were not discussed. Rocchio reported that her symptoms eventually subsided, that she continues supportive health measures, and that she did not return to her previous real estate career.