The family of an NHS pharmacist, John Cross, is calling for urgent reform of the government’s compensation scheme for vaccine damage after he suffered paralysing complications from a COVID jab and tragically took his own life. John’s story sheds light on the shortcomings of the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme (VDPS) and the devastating impact it can have on individuals and their families.
John’s Struggle and Tragic Outcome
John Cross experienced rare neurological effects after receiving his first dose of the COVID vaccine, leaving him unable to move, blink, or breathe. Despite spending seven months in the hospital recovering, he was left with chronic pain and numbness, along with several relapses. The official medical assessor for the VDPS acknowledged that the jab caused his issues but deemed him not disabled enough for compensation. This rejection, coupled with his deteriorating mental health, led John to take his own life.
Speaking exclusively to Sky News, Philip Cross, John’s youngest son, expressed the family’s determination to seek justice for their father and advocate for reform of the VDPS. The Cross family is committed to creating positive change in memory of John and ensuring that others do not face the same injustices.
The Toll on John’s Health and Well-being
Following his paralysis, John underwent intensive care treatment, including a tracheostomy to aid in breathing. His recovery process was long and arduous, marked by the gradual relearning of basic functions like eating, walking, and talking. However, he never fully regained his mobility and fitness, ultimately receiving a diagnosis of Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy. This condition required ongoing treatment and posed significant challenges for John’s quality of life.
John’s widow, Christine, expressed frustration with the VDPS’s lack of personal contact and empathy during the claims process. The bureaucratic hurdles added unnecessary stress to an already difficult situation, highlighting the need for a more compassionate and efficient system for addressing vaccine-related complications.
The Flaws in the VDPS Assessment Process
The VDPS requires claimants to meet a 60% disability threshold to qualify for compensation, a standard rooted in industrial injury compensation schemes. However, this criterion often fails to account for the complex nature of vaccine-related damage and the psychological impact it can have on individuals. Medical assessors struggle to make accurate evaluations, leading to disparities in compensation outcomes and leaving many claimants feeling disenfranchised.
Peter Todd, the Cross family’s solicitor, emphasized the challenges faced by claimants in navigating the VDPS assessment process. The influx of COVID vaccine-related claims has further strained the system, with individuals struggling to convey the full extent of their vaccine damage on a standardized form. The disconnect between claimants’ experiences and assessors’ interpretations underscores the need for a more comprehensive and nuanced approach to evaluating vaccine-related complications.
The Department of Health, responsible for overseeing the VDPS, has stated that reform of the scheme will be a focus of the ongoing COVID Inquiry. The Cross family, along with other affected individuals, are hopeful that this inquiry will lead to meaningful changes that address the shortcomings of the current compensation system.
In conclusion, John Cross’s tragic story serves as a poignant reminder of the human toll of vaccine-related complications and the inadequacies of the current compensation framework. As the call for reform grows louder, it is imperative that policymakers and healthcare authorities heed the voices of those impacted and work towards a more equitable and compassionate system for addressing vaccine damage. The Cross family’s advocacy for justice and accountability in the face of adversity is a testament to their resilience and unwavering commitment to honoring John’s memory.