Thank you for your request for information about the following:

Request

‘Please provide annual breakdowns since 2003/4 and up to the latest available data for:

The number of applications made for a Vaccine Damage Payment. (If possible please break this down into those applying for themselves and those applying on behalf of someone who has died).

The number of those applications that have received a Vaccine Damage Payment (If possible please break this down into those applying for themselves and those applying on behalf of someone who has died).

If any data exists detailing what vaccines these applications or payments were in relation to, please provide this too.’

On 18 September 2024 we sent you the following clarification request:

Therefore, I would be grateful if you would:

Confirm if you would also like the numbers for people who are applying for a Vaccine Damage Payment on behalf of people who are living so that all applications are included?

Confirm that you are requesting this information for all vaccines covered under the VDPS which include childhood, adult flu and Covid vaccinations? If so, do you require totals for each of these three types of vaccines?

On 18 September 2024 you clarified your request as follows:

‘First confirmation

I would like the total number of applications - including those applying on behalf of other people. But if possible, please separate the figures into those applying for themselves and those applying for other people - please only do this if it will not go over cost limits.

Second clarification

Please provide separate totals for each of those three’

The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) received your request on 21 August 2024.

We have handled your request under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2000.

Our response

I can confirm that the NHSBSA holds the information you have requested, and a copy of the information is attached.

Please read the below notes to ensure correct understanding of the data.

All data is as of 22 August 2024.

All data relates to claims received by the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) and those transferred from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) on 1 November 2021.

Claims received on behalf of someone else

We have provided figures for claims made on behalf of another living person and on behalf of someone who has died. Please note, this does not mean a vaccine caused the person’s disability or death.

Awarded claims by vaccine type

DWP, as previous administrators of the scheme, did not record vaccine type. We are therefore unable to provide a breakdown by vaccine type for payments made before 1 November 2021.

For a list of eligible vaccines under the Vaccine Damage Payment Act, visit: https://www.gov.uk/vaccine-damage-payment/eligibility

Claims received before 1 November 2021 by vaccine type

Each claim is assessed by an independent medical assessor. If a claimant disagrees with the independent medical assessor’s decision, they can challenge it. This is called requesting a Mandatory Reversal. Some claimants may also be eligible to submit an appeal to HM Courts and Tribunal Service.

In some cases, a claim originally submitted to DWP may have been reassessed via Mandatory Reversal or tribunal. In these cases, we will have a record of the vaccine type. The attached data may therefore include vaccine type for these claims that have been challenged since we took over administration of the scheme.

Fewer than five

Please be aware that I have decided not to release the full details where the total number of individuals falls below five. This is because the individuals could be identified when combined with other information that may be in the public domain or reasonably available. This information falls under the exemption in section 40 subsections 2 and 3 (a) of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). This is because it would breach the first data protection principle as:   

a - it is not fair to disclose an individual’s personal details to the world and is likely to cause damage or distress.

b - these details are not of sufficient interest to the public to warrant an intrusion into the privacy of the individual.

Please click the web link below to see the exemption in full.

www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/36/section/40

Breach of confidentiality

Please note that the identification of individuals is also a breach of the common law duty of confidence. An individual who has been identified could make a claim against the NHSBSA for the disclosure of confidential information.

The information requested is therefore being withheld as it falls under the exemption in section 41(1) ‘Information provided in confidence’ of the Freedom of Information Act.  

Please click the web link below to see the exemption in full.  

www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/36/section/41

Data Queries

If you have any queries regarding the data provided, or if you plan on publishing, the data please contact foirequests@nhsbsa.nhs.uk ensuring you quote the above reference. This is important to ensure that the figures are not misunderstood or misrepresented.

Reusing the data and copyright

If you plan on producing a press or broadcast story based upon the data, please contact communicationsteam@nhsbsa.nhs.uk. This is important to ensure that the figures are not misunderstood or misrepresented.

The information supplied to you continues to be protected by the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 and is subject to NHSBSA copyright. This information is licenced under the terms of the Open Government Licence detailed at:

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

Should you wish to re-use the information you must include the following statement: “NHSBSA Copyright 2024” Failure to do so is a breach of the terms of the licence.

Information you receive which is not subject to NHSBSA Copyright continues to be protected by the copyright of the person, or organisation, from which the information originated. Please obtain their permission before reproducing any third party (non NHSBSA Copyright) information.