The Scottish Mail on Sunday

Pandemic inquiry may look into jab deaths

- By Ethan Ennals

VERY rare yet serious side-effects from the Covid vaccine could be explored in the forthcomin­g public inquiry into the pandemic.

It may also look into the struggle affected families have faced in getting compensati­on.

Probe chairwoman Baroness Heather Hallett wrote to the Prime Minister last Thursday outlining the key areas under scrutiny – including pandemic preparedne­ss, lockdowns, testing, PPE and care homes – which he will have to sign off before the inquiry can begin.

The Mail on Sunday has learned that she also asked if her inquiry can cover deaths and life-changing side-effects from the jabs.

While multiple studies have shown Covid vaccines to be safe – with more than 53million Britons having had at least one dose and nearly 40million receiving three

– a small minority of people suffered serious health problems including blood clots and inflammati­on in the heart.

In the UK, medical regulators have reported 438 blood clot cases and 79 deaths linked to the AstraZenec­a vaccine. More than 900 applicatio­ns have now been filed for compensati­on over death or injury due to vaccines, with the

‘Jabs took some people into a waking nightmare’

total claims reaching £110 million. However, not a single payment has been made.

Sarah Moore, a solicitor at the Hausfeld law firm which is representi­ng 95 victims, told

The Mail on Sunday’s Medical Minefield podcast this week:

‘The vaccinatio­n programme has been hugely successful and we know, for the vast majority of us, it is also safe.

‘But there is a small group of people for whom it wasn’t safe. And far from giving them a way out of the pandemic, it’s delivered them into a sort of waking nightmare.’

Moore says those affected have been unable to access any form of payment because the vaccine damage payment scheme, which was set up in 1979, is outdated.

‘The scheme is there to say, look, you did the right thing. You stepped up to get vaccinated, you were really unlucky and we will help to support you financiall­y. But it’s an antiquated system and can’t cope with the amount of people who have applied for compensati­on.’

The scheme allows a maximum payout of £120,000, but Moore said: ‘When you take into account a loss of earning, loss of pension, and ongoing care needs, that figure begins to look very inadequate.’

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