Request

‘Please can you make the following dataset available, broken down by month of claim, preferably in a spreadsheet or CSV format: -

The number of VDPS claims relating to COVID-19 vaccines. - Of those claims,
- how many were medically assessed.
- Any successful claims. - Any rejected claims.

Please can you make this dataset publicly available going forward to save me requesting updated versions of this dataset in the future?’

Response

A copy of the requested information is attached.

The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) took over the administration of the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme (VDPS) from DWP on 1 November 2021. In March 2022, NHSBSA awarded a contract for a supplier to carry out Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme (VDPS) medical assessments, including assessments of claims related to the COVID-19 vaccines.

The VDPS medical assessments commenced from 23 May 2022.

Fewer than 5 VDPS awards

Please be aware that I have decided not to release the exact number of some monthly awards, as the number is fewer than 5. This is because the claimants could be identified, when combined with other information that may be in the public domain or reasonably available. Any numbers which are fewer than 5 have been replaced with a *. Where there is only one value redacted in a column, the total has also been redacted as this would allow you to work out the value for that month.

This information falls under the exemption in section 40 subsections 2 and 3A (a) of the Freedom of Information Act.

This is because it would breach the first data protection principle as:

a) it is not fair to disclose claimant 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 claimant.

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

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

Breach of patient confidentiality

Please note that the identification of claimants is also a breach of the common law duty of confidence. A claimant who has been identified could make a claim against the NHSBSA or yourself for the disclosure of the 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 below web link to see the exemption in full.

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

For your information

The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) is currently unable to make this dataset publicly available however we are considering the information we can make publicly available in the future.

Data Queries

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

If you plan on producing a press or broadcast story based upon the data please contact nhsbsa.communicationsteam@nhs.net. 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 2022” This information is licenced under the terms of the Open Government Licence:

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

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.