A “fit and healthy” doctor died of “unintended consequences of vaccination” after a rare reaction to the AstraZeneca Covid jab, a coroner has ruled.

As an NHS clinical psychologist and frontline health worker, Dr Stephen Wright, 32, from Sevenoaks, was among the earliest groups of people to be given the vaccine during the pandemic.

An inquest at London’s Southwark Coroner’s Court heard how Dr Wright had received the vaccine on January 16 2021, but died ten days later after suffering from a combination of a brainstem infarction, bleed on the brain and “vaccine-induced thrombosis”.

The court heard how a small group of people had suffered a severe reaction to the jab, and health authorities are investigating.

Dr Wright had been taken to Princess Royal University Hospital in Orpington and moved to King’s College Hospital as his condition rapidly worsened but the nature of the bleed meant he was unfit for surgery.

Coroner Andrew Harris described a “very unusual and deeply tragic case”, adding: “Dr Wright was a fit and healthy man who had the AstraZeneca vaccine on January 16 2021, awoke with a headache on January 25 and later developed left arm numbness.

“He attended an A&E department just after midnight where was found to have high blood pressure and a sagittal sinus thrombosis."

Regarding the official documents detailing Dr Wright’s death, Mr Harris said “it is very important to record as fact that it is the AstraZeneca vaccine – but that is different from blaming AstraZeneca”.

After the inquest, Dr Wright’s widow Charlotte said she is now considering taking legal action against AstraZeneca and the Government.

Outside of the court, she said: “I think there is a sense of relief that it is finally on paper and it is written in black and white.

“We can finally say we have this proof but unfortunately it does not bring much closure to myself due to the litigation we intend to take against AstraZeneca and the Government.”

She added: “I find it very comforting to have two boys that remind me of him every day. He was the most amazing husband. I’m just very thankful that I got to marry such a great man. I will raise our boys in his honour.”

The inquest was also told work is underway to try and understand why severe reactions the jabs can happen.

Mr Harris said: “My understanding is that this condition is rare.

“Causes are being examined by the MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency).

“It seems to me that there is not an action one can take at the moment.

“It is being looked at and there are reports being given to the Government from the MHRA and there is advice on the matter.”

Medical experts told the court nothing could be done to save Dr Wright as his condition quickly worsened.

Dr Mark Howard, a consultant pathologist and medical examiner at King’s College Hospital, said scientists and medical experts were not aware of the vaccine’s possible deadly side effects because Dr Wright’s case happened so early in its rollout.

He said: “Stephen was a very fit, young and healthy man in January 2021.

“It is a truly tragic and very rare complication of a well-meant vaccination.

“We had no knowledge that this was a potential side effect at this time.

“It’s not fully understood why this happens.

He said such circumstances arise in a very small number of people, and that it "was a rare and unintended consequence."

After the hearing Dr Wright’s mother Anne remembered him as a “brilliant father to the two boys and a lovely son”.

She added: “He was just everything that anyone could want a son to be – kind and caring.”

Dr Wright’s father Richard noted that “because he worked for the NHS, that was the only reason he had the vaccination at that time. If he had been working at any other job, because of his age group, he wouldn’t have had the vaccination so early”.