Request

‘Has any association been reported between Covid-19 vaccination and Transverse Myelitis in the UK? Other than the Yellow Card scheme, what data source has been used to provide this answer?’

The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) received your request on 26 March 2025.

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

Our response

I can confirm that the NHSBSA holds the information you have requested. Attached is a copy of the summary of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s (MHRA) regulatory position for Transverse Myelitis reported following COVID-19 vaccines which MHRA provided the NHSBSA in September 2022.

A review of their regulatory position was carried out by MHRA in August 2024 and they confirmed there was no change to their regulatory position. This review is also contained in the attached document.

Each claim is assessed on a case-by-basis by a medical assessor. All medical assessors are General Medical Council (GMC) registered doctors with a license to practise and at least five years' experience.

All relevant information is considered to make a complete and fair assessment. The medical assessor thoroughly considers:

• information given on the claim form
• any further evidence submitted by you
• any pre-existing conditions that are not caused by the vaccine
• medical records (if required)
• clinical research
• epidemiological evidence
• the current consensus of expert medical opinion

Medical assessors use resources to support their assessment. Visit our website for more information at: https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/vaccine-damage-payment-scheme-vdps-claim-process

The medical assessor will advise if the applicant is entitled to a Vaccine Damage Payment. Under the government’s rules for the scheme, to qualify for a Vaccine Damage Payment, it must be proved that:

• an eligible vaccine was received
• on the balance of probabilities, the vaccine caused the disability
• the resulting disablement is severe

Severely disabled means at least 60% as defined by the principles for assessing the extent of disablement. These are set out in:

• Section 103 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992
• Schedule 2 of the Social Security (General Benefit) Regulations 1982

Data Queries

Please contact foirequests@nhsbsa.nhs.uk ensuring you quote the above reference if you have any specific questions regarding this response; or, if you feel you may be misunderstanding or misinterpreting the information; or, if you plan on publishing the data.

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 2025”. 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.