Australian MP Victor Dominello Diagnosed With Bell’s Palsy After AstraZeneca Vaccine On Live Press Conference

An Australian Member of Parliament, Victor Dominello has been diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy after AstraZeneca vaccine (branded as Covishield in India) after viewers noticed his ‘droopy eye’ during the state’s live COVID-19 update press conference.

Victor Dominello appeared at the press conference on Wednesday to discuss business grants as the state recorded a staggering 633 local infections.

In an update later that night, Mr Dominello issued a thank you to the viewers who sent him messages of concern after tuning into the press conference.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Victor Dominello MP (@victordominello)

“At this morning’s press conference – a number of people commented on my droopy eye,” he wrote on social media.

“Some people thought – I was winking at the cameraman. Some thought I had a stroke.

“I have actually been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy.”

Mr Dominello explained he began to feel a pain in his skull, behind his right ear, about 48 hours earlier.

On Wednesday morning, he woke up with pins and needles on the right side of his tongue but failed to notice any droopiness around his eye.

“I only took it more seriously this afternoon – after a number of people sent me a screenshot of the press conference and others contacted my office prompting me to seek urgent medical advice,” he said.

“Thanks to everyone who reached out.”

Although, Mr Dominello was vaccinated with AstraZeneca’s vaccine (branded as Covishield in India), no media bothered to mention it in their reports.

Mr Dominello received his first AstraZeneca vaccine dose at the Homebush Vaccination Centre on 27th May.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Victor Dominello MP (@victordominello)

Interestingly, he was to receive his second AstraZeneca dose on the very same day of the press conference when he was spotted with Bell’s Palsy.

He posted on his Instagram, “My second AstraZeneca dose is scheduled for 19th August”.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Victor Dominello MP (@victordominello)

Recently, Health Canada, the department of the Government of Canada responsible for national health policy added Bell’s Palsy as a warning to Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine labels.

Symptoms after vaccination may include temporary weakness or paralysis on one side of the face, according to an advisory issued by the department.

Other symptoms include, “uncoordinated movement of the muscles that control facial expression; loss of feeling in the face; headache; tearing from the eye; drooling; lost sense of taste on the front two-thirds of the tongue; hypersensitivity to sound in one ear; or inability to close an eye on one side of the face,” according to the advisory.

Earlier, a mysterious illness stopped the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine trials. It was reported to be an inflammatory syndrome known as transverse myelitis which may also lead to paralysis.

By Great Game India

CONTINUED:

NSW Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello has revealed he was diagnosed with Bell’s palsy just hours after people expressed concern for his welfare during today’s press conference.

During today’s morning presser, viewers expressed concern online after Minister Dominello’s eye began drooping and closing in front of the camera.

Some reached out to him and suggested he seek medical help, worried that he was having a stroke.

Dominello has revealed that since then, he went to the doctor, and after describing symptoms he’d been experiencing in the last 48 hours, was diagnosed with Bell’s palsy.

“At this morning’s press conference a number of people commented on my droopy eye. Some people thought I was winking at the cameraman. Some thought I had a stroke. I have actually been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy,” he said in a statement.

“About 48 hours ago I felt a pain in my skull behind my right ear. This morning I woke up with pins and needles on the right side of my tongue. I only got it checked this afternoon – after a number of people reached out to see if I was ok. Thanks to everyone who reached out.

“The reason I am posting is because hopefully it will remind people to look after their health. We are focussed on Covid but there are plenty of other health problems going on. If you have any health concerns – please get them looked after. Ps – thanks to staff at Royal North Shore – we are blessed to live in a country with this health system.”

Bell’s palsy is a sudden weakness in the muscles of half the face, and can be the result of a viral infection.

The good news is, Bell’s palsy usually goes away on its own within six months, and physiotherapy can help prevent the muscles from permanently contracting.

By Soaliha Iqbal

CONTINUED:

Victor Dominello - who is currently wearing a black eyepatch and on medication - feels "very fortunate" the community drew attention to his droopy eye during a COVID-19 press conference.

Victor Dominello has donned an eyepatch after announcing his Bell’s palsy diagnosis – thanks to the help of eagle-eyed TV viewers who spotted his “droopy eye”.

The NSW Customer Service Minister said he received numerous comments of concern following Wednesday’s COVID-19 press conference, which encouraged him to see a doctor and led to his subsequent diagnosis.

On Monday, the member for Ryde shared an update - with a smiling selfie showcasing his black eyepatch - as he promoted Service NSW’s check-in card.

“A profound thank you to all the people who have shared their experiences and well wishes for my recent diagnosis of Bell’s Palsy,” he wrote alongside the snap.

“I am on medication and feeling very fortunate that the community brought the seriousness of the situation to my attention.

“Also given the feedback received from many people with lived experience - I am also having acupuncture. I am hoping to make a quick recovery.”

Mr Dominello said the patch is on his right as it is the side of his face that has been frozen. The patch will stop his eye from getting infected until he is able to start blinking with it again.

The Minister earlier thanked residents who drew attention to his condition in his first place.

“At this morning’s press conference - a number of people commented on my droopy eye,” he wrote on social media on Wednesday.

“Some people thought - I was winking at the cameraman. Some thought I had a stroke.

“I have actually been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy.”

Mr Dominello explained he began to feel a pain in his skull, behind his right ear, about 48 hours earlier.

On Wednesday morning, he woke up with pins and needles on the right side of his tongue but failed to notice any droopiness around his eye.

“I only took it more seriously this afternoon - after a number of people sent me a screenshot of the press conference and others contacted my office prompting me to seek urgent medical advice,” he said.

“Thanks to everyone who reached out.”

Bell's palsy is a sudden weakness or paralysis in one side of the face that is typically caused by inflammation or damage to the facial nerve.

The condition is usually temporary.

By Zoe Zaczek