Covid Vaccine Injury Claims Face Delays and Inadequacies, Inquiry Reveals

A recent inquiry into the government's vaccine damage payment scheme has uncovered significant challenges faced by individuals who suffered severe adverse reactions to Covid vaccines. According to statements made during the inquiry, many claimants are experiencing a process described as "inadequate and inefficient," with reports of delays and rejected applications becoming increasingly common.

The vaccine damage payment scheme offers a one-off payment of £120,000 to individuals who are at least 60% disabled due to vaccine-related injuries. However, advocates from the organization Vaccine Injured and Bereaved UK expressed that the current setup falls short of adequately supporting those affected. They argue that the government should have anticipated the need for a fair compensation system given the widespread rollout of the vaccine.

An example cited in the inquiry was the case of Jamie Scott, who suffered a debilitating brain clot after receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine. Although he received the damage payment, his wife, Kate Scott, emphasized that many others are not receiving timely or sufficient support, with some families relying on food banks amid their struggles.

As of late November, more than 17,500 claims have been made to the vaccine damage payment scheme. Alarmingly, over 1,000 individuals remain in limbo, awaiting decisions on their applications for more than a year, while 126 have been waiting for nearly three years.

Beyond the need for reform within the scheme, Kate Scott called for better communication to the public about potential serious side effects of vaccines, highlighting the importance of timely treatment options for those affected.

Despite acknowledging the valuable impact of the UK’s vaccine rollout during the pandemic, inquiry officials noted that serious side effects, though rare, are significant and should not be minimized.

In response to the concerns raised, an NHS Business Services Authority representative stated that efforts have been made to expedite claims processing, including expanding their team and improving engagement with healthcare providers. However, delays in acquiring necessary medical records continue to impact the speed of claims.