Debate on Covid-19 vaccines and the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme

The Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme (VDPS) was established under the Vaccine Damage Payments Act 1979.

It provides a one-off, tax-free, lump sum payment of £120,000, out of public funds. It is accessible to people over the age of 2 years who are (or were, immediately before their death) “severely disabled” as a result of vaccination against specific diseases or, in certain circumstances, through contact with a person who has been vaccinated against any of those diseases.

Successive governments have emphasised that it is not a compensation scheme but is instead intended to “ease the present and future burdens of those suffering from severe vaccine damage, and their families.”

• Details of the scheme are set out by the Government at Vaccine Damage Payment – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
• Information is also available at: Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme | NHSBSA

This debate pack contains further information about the vaccine damage payment scheme, including eligibility, responsibility for administering the scheme, and processing claims.