Request

Can you please tell me under the FOI: 1. number of Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme claims made for disablement linked to SARS - Cov 19 vaccine 2. number of claims awarded 3. number of claims appealed 4. what evidence is required to substantiate a claim 5. what period this covers ie. whether it includes previous claims administered by the DWP

Response

As question 1 relates only to claims relating to COVID-19, we have interpreted your remaining questions to be for information on the same. If questions 2 to 5 relate to all vaccines covered by the Vaccine Damage Payments Act 1979, please submit a fresh request.

Question 1

As of 1 December 2021, the total number of COVID-19 claims for a vaccine damage payment is 562.

Question 2 and 3

No payments have been made for a vaccine damage claim related to the COVID-19 vaccine. This is because these are very new vaccines and the possible links between the vaccine and potential side effects are still being investigated. This means it will take longer before we can determine whether an individual’s claim meets the first legal test of causation. 

Question 4

All claims are medically assessed by an independent experienced medical advisers.  Claims are assessed on a case by case basis, according to the criteria for the scheme. Medical advisers consider whether, in light of all the available scientific evidence and any medical records or supporting information, it is more probable than not that the vaccine has caused disablement. Causation criteria are applied consistently, in accordance with accepted clinical guidance.

Question 5

In December 2020, ministers agreed to add COVID-19 to the scheme, to demonstrate Government confidence in the safety profile of any vaccine being used in the COVID-19 vaccination programme.

The number of COVID-19 claims date from December 2020 to December 2021.

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