Update On VIBUK Campaign September 2024
On 11th September 2024, members of VIBUK attended a meeting with Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, and Andrew Gwynne, Under Secretary of State for Public Health and Prevention. This meeting was lead by steering group members from VIBUK in relation to vaccine injury and bereavement. Three members of the steering group were in attendance, Kate Scott, Kelly Hatfield and Sheila Ward along with Sir Jeremy Wright MP.
During this meeting, they discussed the human side of vaccine injury and bereavement and the loss and suffering we have all been through, covering multiple confirmed conditions (including, VITT, GBS and Vasculitis). They delivered a detailed presentation on why the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme (VDPS) is failing the vaccine-injured and bereaved and outlined four key goals of VIBUK:
• A Meeting: requested that the Government and AstraZeneca meet with families affected by vaccine injuries.
• Bespoke settlement scheme: advocated for a tailored scheme that would deliver prompt and fair compensation to the vaccine-injured and bereaved.
• VDPS reform: a legacy for those who have died or were seriously injured because of COVID-19 vaccine injury and to prevent others from suffering.
• Sustained engagement: emphasised the need for the Secretary of State to remain engaged with the vaccine-injured community to ensure that our voices are heard and not silenced.
They explained that the Government now has a historic opportunity to correct past failures and demonstrate what can be achieved when it listens to the bereaved and injured from the start. By reforming the VDPS, we believe public confidence can be maintained while addressing the needs of those most affected.
Following the presentation, Wes Streeting expressed his appreciation for their thoughtful and careful arguments. He confirmed that he had much to reflect on and assured them that he would review the information presented. We expect an update from him before Christmas.
Although nothing was committed too this was an important meeting which has taken over 3 years to secure, we hope it provides some hope to all those affected.
What you can do to assist us: –
1) Ask your MP to contact Sir Jeremy Wright MP to find out how they can support this campaign.
2) If you are Vaccine Injured or Bereaved send your personal stories to Wes Streeting.
Press release from Leigh Day
https://www.leighday.co.uk/news/news/2024-news/vaccine-tragedy-campaigners-hopes-raised-by-meeting-with-wes-streeting/