Vaccine tragedy: Campaigners’ hopes raised by meeting with Wes Streeting

Kate Scott, Sheila Ward and Kelly Hatfield say their hopes have been raised by the 45-minute discussion they had with Mr Streeting and health minister, Andrew Gwynne in Whitehall on Wednesday 11 September.

The three say Mr Streeting told them the Government is “engaged” and its “door is open” for a “constructive conversation” about their campaign to see the VDPS reformed.

Kate, Sheila and Kelly were invited to meet Mr Streeting after they appealed to him to listen to their stories of loss and tragedy connected with the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Kate’s husband Jamie, father to two boys, suffered vaccine-induced Thrombocytopenia and Thrombosis (VITT) and has been left with permanent brain damage and disability after he received the AstraZeneca vaccine in May 2021.

Sheila’s husband Stephen, father of two, died from VITT in March 2021.

Kelly’s father, Ken Purnell, husband to Sue, father of two, with four grandchildren, died from vaccine-induced vasculitis in February 2021.

The women, who alongside other bereaved and injured survivors, formed the group Vaccine Injured and Bereaved UK (VIBUK), are campaigning for a bespoke settlement scheme for individuals and families whose lives have been turned upside down after receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine and VDPS reform for a legacy for those who died or were severely injured.

VIBUK would like AstraZeneca to follow Mr Streeting’s lead and meet families who have lost loved ones or whose family members have suffered life-changing injuries after receiving the company’s covid vaccine.

Kate Scott and Sheila Ward are represented by Sarah Moore of law firm Leigh Day in a legal claim against AstraZeneca, claiming that the deaths or injuries of their loved ones were caused by the covid vaccine. They are among a group of 50 represented by Sarah. Together she says their claim could be worth millions of pounds.

Kate and Sheila hope that the legal action will shine a light on all the vaccine injured and the need for VDPS reform and backdating for Covid vaccine injury and bereavement.

As the Government took on the risk of legal claims resulting from any injuries allegedly caused by the AstraZeneca vaccine, the Government is liable for AstraZeneca’s legal fees and any settlement costs.

In legal documents filed at the High Court in response to the legal claim AstraZeneca has formally admitted that its covid vaccine can cause a rare side effect.

From left to right: Andrew Gwynn, Wes Streeting, Kate Scott, Sheila Ward, Kelly Hatfield

Following the meeting with Wes Streeting and Andrew Gwynne, Kate Scott said:  

“Wes and Andrew both properly listened to our experiences and concerns and expressed their appreciation for our thoughtful and careful arguments. Wes confirmed that he had much to reflect on and assured us that he would review the information presented. This government promised change and we hope they will deliver on it for those injured or bereaved by vaccination.”

Sheila Ward said:

“I’m grateful to Mr. Streeting for listening to our concerns, and I hope this leads to a reformed vaccine damage payment scheme that truly supports those impacted by vaccine injuries and bereavement.”

Leigh Day partner Sarah Moore added:

“It is good news that the new Secretary of State for Health has made the time to meet with our clients and other members of VIBUK: We appear to have a Minister who understands that the vaccine injured and bereaved are not just statistics and that there is an urgent need for VDPS reform: Expectations have been raised by this meeting and those whom we represent will be waiting to see what Mr Streeting and his department will deliver.”

Kelly Hatfield, who is not represented by Leigh Day, said:

“Walking out of that room, I felt a deep sense of hope – for the first time, it felt like the government truly listened to the pain and struggles we’ve been carrying.”