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The Chief Minister has said that Jersey residents may be able to access the UK's vaccine compensation scheme by the end of the year, following a threat to sue from a group of islanders who said they had adverse reactions to the covid jab.
A letter from Advocate Philip Sinel – backed by a number of "sick and bereaved" islanders – was sent to Chief Minister Kristina Moore and States Members this month, urging them to "make good" on a "promise" from previous Health Minister Richard Renouf to develop a vaccine damage scheme.
They said that if such a scheme was not created, they would bring a legal challenge.
Among the signatories was an islander who told Express that she believed the covid vaccine had caused her to become seriously ill in 2021, forcing her to spend months in hospital. The woman said that she was not against vaccines, but wanted people to be aware of possible harm.
Responding to the letter on Friday, Deputy Moore said "positive discussions" were continuing with the UK to enable Jersey residents to access the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme.
Pictured: Advocate Philip Sinel is representing islanders who say they experienced adverse reactions after having the covid-19 vaccine.
She added: "At present, it appears that a route to enable Jersey residents to access the VDPS may be established before the end of this year. This would allow those who received an MHRA-approved vaccination against covid-19 which was administered in Jersey as part of the government's vaccination programme, which they believe may have caused them illness or injury, to have such damages assessed under the VDPS.' Deputy Moore said this support would be in addition to that available for Jersey residents under the Island's social-security system."
She added that the government "takes its duty to provide support seriously", highlighting the Long Covid Clinic, which was set up last year to support islanders.
Deputy Moore also rejected claims that Islanders did not properly consent to having vaccines.
"All those who receive a vaccine are required to provide informed consent before a vaccine is administered to them," she said. "Covid-19 vaccinations are not and have never been compulsory in Jersey.
"This contrasts with some other jurisdictions where, for example, certain workers have been required to have a covid-19 vaccine to continue to work in health and social-care settings."
It emerged earlier this year that 12 deaths in the Channel Islands were logged on a "self-reporting" scheme which records possible reactions to vaccines.
The fatalities, as well as 839 adverse reactions, had been registered on the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority's Yellow Card scheme, which allows people to submit details of suspected side effects and reactions to a range of medical products.
Public Health Director Professor Peter Bradley has previously reassured islanders that the Yellow Card scheme only records "possible" reactions and explained that there had been no confirmed deaths from covid jabs in the Channel Islands.
Click to read the Chief Minister's response to Advocate Sinel's letter in full below...
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