Families of people who have been harmed by Covid vaccines told the UK Covid inquiry they were forced to support each other during the pandemic because there was no other help.

Kate Scott, who represents the group Vaccine Injured and Bereaved UK (VIBUK), said she felt she had been “almost pushed into the shadows during the pandemic”.

The inquiry also heard from a victims’ group in Scotland, which raised concerns that the vaccine was produced too quickly, and safety was sacrificed for speed.

This is the fourth module of the Inquiry, which will consider issues related to the development and implementation of COVID-19 vaccines.

Mrs Scott, whose husband Jamie was left seriously disabled by a vaccine, said: “We have an inconvenient truth, but we have a truth and it is true for everyone in our group – the vaccine has prevented serious harm and death. Caused.”

Jamie Scott, a father of two boys, worked a high-level job until he was seriously injured by the Covid vaccine.

He spent four weeks and five days in a coma and suffered an extremely rare, life-threatening side effect called VITT, or vaccine-induced immune thrombosis and thrombocytopenia.

Jamie survived, but suffered a severe brain injury, affecting his thinking processes. He is now blind and his wife says he will never be able to live independently.

Jamie has received £120,000 – the maximum payout from the government’s Vaccine Injury Payment Scheme.

His wife, who is clear that none of them are against vaccines, says he will never work again and it is not a fair or sufficient amount.

“The scheme is inadequate and ineffective – too late and too few people get offers,” he said.

The investigation revealed that figures obtained through a freedom of information request by VIBUK show that, as of 30 November 2024, victims and their families have made 17,519 claims to the scheme.

of these:

• 194 have been informed that they are entitled to payment
• 1,027 people have waited more than 12 months for a decision
• Even after three years of waiting, 126 people have no decision

Jean told the inquiry that Peter Rossiter was an extremely talented, classical pianist who brought music to life while he was head of music at a school.

However, despite being a key worker, he received his first vaccine in May 2021 – five months after the first doses were given in the UK.

That summer he contracted COVID and became seriously ill, being admitted to intensive care in hospital but died on 11 August 2021.

Peter had kept himself fit, said his mother Jean, who helped set up the group Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice UK.

“He followed the rules, we all did and as parents we feel like we did everything right and yet Peter lost his life, as did many of the families in our group,” he said. “

Baroness Hallett said: “So many people have said that Covid-19 only affects older people.

“You have a fit and healthy son under the age of 40, and so it helps to remind people that we’re not just about protecting people who some people think are their innings.” It’s been good; we’re about protecting the entire population.”

The bereaved families also expressed concern over the following:

• Some people are getting delayed in getting the vaccine
• Poor communication of guidance to the public
• Dose interval – the difference between the second and third doses of the vaccine
• giving priority to some groups of people over others

The Scottish Vaccine Injury Group (SVIG), which represents 750 people, said it was concerned the vaccine was produced too quickly and safety was sacrificed for speed.

It also raised serious concerns about the government’s vaccine injury compensation scheme.

Ruth O’Rafferty of SVIG said it was “a traumatic experience” for anyone who applied.

Having 60% disability is one of the criteria for the award. He questioned how one could prove this when his status fluctuated. They also said that many of their members have suffered neurological damage and are struggling to fill out forms.

Evidence on this issue will be heard during the inquest in London for the next three weeks.