A new Covid vaccine compensation program could be set up for people who say they were ‘left disabled’ after jabs – amid complaints existing system is ‘overwhelmed’

A Covid vaccine compensation scheme could be set up for people who claim the jab has left them ‘disabled’.

Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, is considering the new program to help those now suffering from life-changing conditions as a result of taking the AstraZeneca jab.

This comes amid calls to overhaul the existing scheme, the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme (VDPS), as there are concerns it cannot cope with the large number of claims, which latest figures show are more than 15,000.

Those affected are keen for the scheme, which was originally set up in 1979, to reform its eligibility criteria and payout structure as they claim it is ‘no longer fit for purpose’.

While thousands have been rejected by medical assessors who say there is not enough evidence the jab causes harm, payments of £120,000 have been made in 175 cases – less than two per cent of those who applied.

Applicants have received payments for conditions such as dangerous blood clots, inflammation of the spinal cord, excessive swelling of the vaccinated limb and facial paralysis, as well as strokes and heart attacks.

An astonishing 97 percent of successful claims involve the AstraZeneca vaccine, while only a handful involve harm caused by Pfizer or Moderna, according to freedom of information requests from The Telegraph.

One of the main criticisms raised by campaigners is the all-or-nothing payment of £120,000.

They argue that the payment does not go far enough for those most severely disabled by a vaccine injury, such as those who suffer a brain injury, are unable to work and face ongoing healthcare costs for the rest of their lives.

However, those who receive a payout under the scheme can still take private legal action against the government to obtain more compensation.

Sir Jeremy Wright MP, the Shadow Attorney General, said: ‘If you are in the very small minority of those who have been injured (by the Covid vaccine), those people have a right to expect the state to look after them properly – they just did that. what the state asked them to do.”

Campaigners note that the figure of £120,000 was set in 2007 and has not kept pace with inflation and the rising cost of living.

According to figures from the Bank of England, if the figure had risen in line with inflation payments, the amount would now be just over £195,000.

Another point of criticism is the time it takes for victims to receive payment.

MailOnline has spoken to some successful applicants who had to wait almost two years for a penny of the £120,000 amount.

They said this exacerbated stress as they were unable to work due to a disability and had to rely on their savings to survive.

Others have previously told this website that years of delays have left them with no choice but to sell their homes and rely on food banks.

And for some families, surviving on benefits such as Universal Credit following the death or disability of a main breadwinner due to a needlestick injury, this state support has been reduced or completely abolished, with the government classifying the £120,000 as ‘income’.

But some Britons will not see a penny at all, because of the scheme’s 60 percent disability limit.

Those injured by a vaccine must either be killed or be at least 60 percent disabled by their injury, as assessed by a doctor, before they or their families can receive any money.

This feature, which has been described as ‘cruel’ by critics, means Brits with minor but potentially life-changing injuries will receive nothing.

Astrazeneca is being sued in a class action over claims that the jab, developed in partnership with the University of Oxford, caused death and serious injury in dozens of cases. The government has shielded AstraZeneca from any legal action but has so far refused to intervene.