The key facts
- Baroness Hallett, in the fourth Covid inquiry report, called the VDPS scheme 'insufficiently supportive' and demanded urgent reform
- More than 24,000 claims, of which just over 1% resulted in one-off tax-free payments of £120,000; claimants must prove disability of at least 60%
- Administrative costs of the scheme since April 2022 amounted to £83 million — more than double the £32 million paid to victims
Government promises reform after inquiry criticism
The UK government has said it is ready to review the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme (VDPS), intended for people who have been harmed or lost loved ones due to vaccines. Reform of the scheme was one of the key recommendations of the UK Covid Inquiry and has long been demanded by campaigners. In its response to the report, the government said it commits to reviewing the scheme so that it is 'fit for purpose' and works effectively. Ministers in England promised to work closely with other parts of the UK, as well as with those injured by the vaccine and their families.
Baroness Hallett's report
In her fourth report, Covid inquiry chairwoman Baroness Hallett called for improved support for those harmed. According to her, although it concerns a minority, the system for supporting them needs urgent reform. The report described the scheme as 'insufficiently supportive' and noted that the current rule requiring a claimant to prove disability of at least 60% does not work effectively in relation to Covid vaccines.
Scale of the problem
The benefits of vaccination are well documented: the AstraZeneca vaccine, according to the BBC, has saved millions of lives worldwide, but some people were harmed. More than 24,000 people have filed claims with the VDPS, the majority in connection with the AstraZeneca vaccine. However, only just over 1% of claims resulted in one-off tax-free payments of £120,000.
Reaction of the victims' campaign
The group Vaccine Injured and Bereaved UK welcomed the government's recognition that vaccine harm and the associated losses are real, and that the VDPS is not fit for purpose. But in a statement the group stressed that this is not the same as a commitment to act: 'After more than five years of campaigning, when the Covid-19 Inquiry explicitly called for reform as soon as possible, we had hoped that the government would finally come out with a clear commitment to act, rather than simply saying it will look at what needs to be done. We understand that developing reforms may take work, but there is a big difference between saying you will consider something and committing to do it. Today we have no clear timeline, no certainty about what will change, and no guarantees of when families will finally see real progress.'
Administrative costs
The government's response also noted that it acknowledges concerns about the costs of running the scheme. As it emerged last month, since April 2022 the VDPS has cost £83 million in administration and medical assessments — more than double the £32 million paid to victims as financial support. Ministers said they would ensure the scheme works properly.
More than 24,000 Covid vaccine-harm claims have been made - most relating to the AstraZeneca jab
