A FAMILY in Bromsgrove’s fight for justice continues after their beloved father and husband took his own life after suffering health complications following his Covid vaccine.
The Cross family are receiving support from the town’s MP after 62-year-old retired pharmacist, John Cross, took his own life in October 2023 after developing Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP), triggered by the Oxford Astra Zeneca vaccine.
John, who was fit and healthy on January 26, 2021, took the vaccine and developed symptoms of the serious neurological disorder less than a month later.
His condition resulted in episodes of bodily paralysis, requiring lengthy admission to hospital and invasive and unpleasant medical treatment during the pandemic lockdowns.
John’s condition would improve for a while following treatment until his ailments would return, leading to repeated episodes of symptoms without cure.
Despite applying under the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme in September 2021, John experienced lengthy administrative delays in the assessment of his claim.
Eventually, in July 2023, John’s condition was confirmed to have been caused by vaccination yet his illness was regarded as insufficiently severe to qualify for any compensation.
Deeply upset by the rejection of his claim, John began gathering further evidence towards appealing the decision in the weeks before he took his own life but found the process to be laborious and overwhelming.
Despite John’s condition, his belief in vaccination and his perceived duty to be fully vaccinated, he received two further doses of an alternative Covid vaccine.
He eventually became so distraught by the unfair assessment of his claim that on October 31, 2023, he tragically took his own life after noticing a flare up in his condition and a return of his paralysis.
An inquest later recorded that John had endured a slow and difficult recovery from an unexpected and severely debilitating illness.
A request for a reversal of the decision was submitted to the compensation scheme in February 2024 and in October 2024, just weeks before the anniversary of his suicide.
Despite another attempt, the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme rejected his claim again, this time denying that the Oxford Astra Zeneca Covid vaccine caused John’s CIDP.
The Cross family are distraught and outraged by this latest payment rejection and they’re continuing to seek justice in John’s memory.
Mr Cross’ widow, Mrs Christine Cross, a retired advanced nurse practitioner, said: “John, and our whole family are believers in the benefits of vaccination.
“John’s case demonstrates that the current system is not fit for purpose and needs fundamental reform.
“Where there has been a vaccine injury, it should not take years for an assessment for compensation to be made.
“The scheme should be fair, accurate and efficient and award adequate financial support.”
To support the family’s plight for reform, Bromsgrove MP Bradley Thomas has pushed the leader of the house of commons for a meeting between them and the minister for health.
The leader of the house of commons, Lucy Powell, apologised for what John and his family have been through and in their challenge for compensation ‘they deserve’.
Powell also agreed to arrange a ministerial response and a meeting with the family.
Mr Thomas added: “Its unfathomable that, despite being told the vaccine caused John’s paralysing complications, he was denied payment.
“It’s not right or fair. I will make sure the leader of the house delivers on her commitment.”
