From 1 November 2021, the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) will operate the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme (VDPS) on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). DHSC will remain responsible for the policy and legislation that governs the scheme.
Any existing ongoing claims will be automatically transferred over to the NHSBSA from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) on 1 November 2021, so no action is required from claimants. DWP will write to all existing claimants with information about the transition of the scheme.
From November, the NHSBSA will contact existing claimants directly with more information about their claim and who to contact if they have any questions or concerns. Claims will continue to be clinically assessed by an independent team of experienced medical advisers. Claims are assessed on a case by case basis, according to the criteria for the scheme.
Vaccines are safe and effective and save lives. The payment aims to help ease the financial burden for those people who are severely disabled as a result of vaccination against a specified disease, within the meaning of the Vaccine Damage Payments Act 1979.
Successful applicants receive a one-off tax free payment, currently £120,000, to individuals where, on very rare occasions, vaccination has caused severe disablement.
The VDPS is not a compensation scheme. It does not prejudice the right of the disabled person to pursue a claim for damages through the courts.
Martin Kelsall, Director of Primary Care Services at the NHSBSA, said: “We’re proud to have been asked by DHSC to operate the VDPS, to offer support to claimants and to progress their claims as smoothly and efficiently as possible. We’re committed to delivering a smooth transition of the scheme for claimants. As an Arm’s Length Body of DHSC, we already provide a range of critical central services to NHS organisations, NHS contractors, patients and the public. We specialise in delivering services which support the priorities of the NHS and enable citizens to gain access to the healthcare and help with health costs to which they are entitled.”
For more information about the current scheme, visit: www.gov.uk/vaccine-damage-payment