The pharmaceutical giant is being sued in a class action over claims the jab it developed with the University of Oxford caused dozens of deaths and serious injuries. The government has indemnified AstraZeneca against any legal action but has so far refused to intervene.
Shadow Attorney General Jeremy Wright MP attended a meeting with Mr Streeting and Mr VIBUK last month, and a follow-up meeting with him is expected in the coming weeks.
“The two options are to reform the VDPS and set up a bespoke reward system,” he said. “But doing nothing is not an option for the government.
“If you are one of the few injured (from the coronavirus vaccine), you have a right to expect that the state will take care of you properly. I’m just doing what I’m doing.”
More than 15,000 people have applied for compensation from the VDPS for alleged damage caused by coronavirus vaccines, according to the latest official figures.
Of the 15,804 claims received by VDPS from people suffering side effects from COVID-19 shots, only 188 were told they were eligible for payment.
The figures, revealed by the government following a Freedom of Information request, show the majority of successful claims relate to the AstraZeneca vaccine, with fewer than five linked to Pfizer and Moderna.
Payments are allowed for conditions such as strokes, heart attacks, dangerous blood clots, spinal cord inflammation, excessive swelling of vaccinated limbs, and facial paralysis.
Campaigners claim the VDPS is not adequately compensating people who have suffered severe side effects from coronavirus vaccines and are unable to work.
VDPS will provide a one-off tax-free benefit of £120,000 to people seriously injured and the families of those who die as a result of vaccination against certain diseases, including coronavirus. To be eligible for payments, an individual must be considered to have a 60% disability.
Charlette Crichton, founder of UKCVFamily, a charity supporting people suffering side effects from coronavirus vaccines, said: “We are optimistic that the new government will support voters and families injured by vaccines. I hope that the system will be reformed.”
“We are calling for a complete review of this plan. There are too many problems with the current plan to make it viable.”
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “Our hearts go out to those affected.
“The Secretary of State has met with families, listened to their concerns and agreed that the Government will consider these concerns carefully as we continue to learn and keep alive the lessons of the pandemic.”
