
Households of these harmed by Covid vaccines advised the UK Covid Inquiry they had been pressured to assist one another throughout the pandemic as a result of there was no different assist.
Kate Scott, who represents the group Vaccine Injured and Bereaved UK (VIBUK), mentioned they felt they had been “virtually being pushed into the shadows throughout the pandemic”.
The inquiry additionally heard from a victims’ group in Scotland which raised issues that the vaccine had been rolled out too rapidly, and that security had been sacrificed for pace.
That is the Inquiry’s fourth module, which can contemplate points regarding the event of Covid-19 vaccines and their implementation.
Mrs Scott, whose husband Jamie was left severely disabled by a vaccine, mentioned: “We’re an uncomfortable fact, however we’re a fact and the reality is for everybody in our group – the vaccine triggered severe hurt and loss of life.”
Jamie Scott, a father of two boys, labored in a high-powered job till he was severely injured by a Covid vaccine.
He spent 4 weeks and 5 days in a coma and suffered a particularly uncommon, life-threatening aspect impact known as VITT, or vaccine-induced immune thrombosis and thrombocytopenia.
Jamie survived, however suffered a major mind damage, which affected his considering processes. He’s now blind and his spouse says he won’t ever dwell independently.

Jamie has obtained £120,000 – the utmost payout from the federal government’s Vaccine Injury Cost Scheme.
His spouse, who is evident that neither of them is in opposition to vaccines, says he won’t ever work once more and that this isn’t a good or ample quantity.
“The scheme is insufficient and inefficient – presents too little too late and to too few,” she mentioned.
The inquiry heard that figures from a Freedom of Data request by VIBUK present that, as of 30 November 2024, victims and their households have made 17,519 claims to the scheme.
Of those:
- 194 have been notified that they’re entitled to the fee
- 1,027 folks have waited greater than 12 months for a call
- 126 folks shouldn’t have a call after ready three years

‘I can solely think about the ache you’re going by means of’
Covid Inquiry chairwoman Baroness Heather Hallett spoke with a trembling voice as she advised Jean Rossiter, whose son Peter died after contracting Covid-19: “I too am the mom of two sons of an analogous age to Peter, so I can solely think about the ache and the grief that you’re going by means of.”
Peter Rossiter was a extremely proficient, classical pianist who introduced music to life whereas head of music in a college, Jean advised the inquiry.
Nonetheless, regardless of being a key employee, he solely obtained his first vaccine in Might 2021 – 5 months after the primary jab was given within the UK.
That summer season he was contaminated with Covid and have become critically sick, was admitted to intensive care in hospital however died on 11 August 2021.
Peter had stored himself match, mentioned his mom Jean who helped arrange the group Covid-19 Bereaved Households for Justice UK.
“He adopted the principles, all of us did and it appears to us as dad and mom that we did all the things proper and but Peter misplaced his life nonetheless, as did so lots of the households who’re in our group,” she mentioned.
Baroness Hallett mentioned: “So many individuals mentioned that Covid-19 solely impacts the older folks.
“You had a match and wholesome younger son, underneath 40, and so it helps to remind folks that we’re not nearly defending individuals who some might imagine have had innings; we’re about defending the entire inhabitants.”
The bereaved households additionally raised issues about:
- delays in some folks receiving vaccines
- poor communication of the steerage for the general public
- the dosage interval – the hole between second and third doses of the vaccine
- the prioritisation of sure teams of individuals forward of others
The Scottish Vaccine Harm Group (SVIG), which represents 750 folks, mentioned it had issues that the vaccine had been rolled out too rapidly and that security had been sacrificed for pace.
It additionally raised severe issues in regards to the authorities’s vaccine injury fee scheme.
Ruth O’Rafferty, from the SVIG, mentioned it was “a traumatic expertise” for anybody making use of.
Being 60% disabled is a standards for the award. She questioned how anybody might show that when their situation fluctuates. She additionally mentioned a lot of their members had suffered neurological injury and struggled to fill out types.
The inquiry will hear proof over the subsequent three weeks on this situation, in London.