Key Facts

• Chope first raised this issue in the House on June 21, 2021.
• As of September 19, 2023, there were 6,809 claims made under the vaccine damage payment scheme related to covid-19 vaccines and only 251 for other illnesses (including 15 for MMR).
• Of those 6,809 claims, 363 cases have been accepted where disabilities suffered are a direct consequence of the vaccine.
• Chope's Bill aims to reduce the disability threshold from 60% to 20%.
• The Bill aims to reform vaccine damage payment schemes.
• The current maximum payment is £120,000 which does not cover all consequential losses.
• Some individuals have been waiting over 18 months for their applications to be processed.
• There are hundreds of outstanding medical note requests beyond the statutory one-month limit.
• Chope's view is that changes should be retrospective for those whose claims have already been dealt with.
• The £120,000 payment has not been increased since 2007.
• A 60% disability under personal injury guidelines would result in damages between £105,000 and £137,000 plus consequential loss.
• Oxford University’s Centre for Socio-Legal Studies describes the Vaccine Damage Payments Act 1979 as a 'no-fault compensation scheme'.
• Germany is paying significant sums to people adversely affected by vaccines.
• The House voted to mandate vaccines for care workers in July 2021.
• Plan B was introduced in December 2021, including vaccine passports for large gatherings.
• Pfizer/BioNTech covid-19 vaccine safety information mentions myocarditis and pericarditis occurring in some recipients.
• A Moderna mRNA covid vaccine trial involving healthy children aged 12 and up has been approved by the MHRA.
• The term 'safe and effective' became ubiquitous during the pandemic, influencing public perception.
• AstraZeneca vaccine guidelines changed due to blood clot concerns.
• Florida recommended against mRNA vaccines for males aged 18-39 in 2021.
• The 'First Do No Harm' report highlighted issues with the MHRA's adverse event reporting system.
• Victims of vaccine injuries face stigma and abuse, being branded as anti-vaxxers.
• Applicants for compensation have waited over 18 months for a decision, with some not receiving sufficient support despite disablement.
• Over 230,000 people died with COVID-19 in the UK during the pandemic.
• Serious adverse events related to vaccines are rare compared to doses administered.
• Hundreds of people have waited over a year for outcomes from the VDPS, with some waiting more than 18 months.
• The UK's vaccination programme was at the forefront of tackling covid-19 and was the first to deliver the vaccine outside clinical trials.
• There have been extremely rare cases where individuals experienced harm following a covid vaccination.
• The Vaccine Damage Payments Scheme (VDPS) was established in 1979 and includes a one-off tax-free payment for those harmed by certain vaccines, including covid-19 since December 2020.
• As of July 2007, the current VDPS amount is £120,000.
• The current eligibility for disability payments is set at 60% disablement.
• As of October 6, 7,574 claims have been made with 3,593 processed and 149 receiving a payment.
• On average, it takes six months to investigate and process claims.
• The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has moved the scheme to NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA).
• The MHRA reviewed AstraZeneca vaccine changes based on evidence from the Julia Cumberlege report.
• There have been 6,809 claims under the vaccine damage payment scheme in respect of covid-19 between October 2021 and September 2023.
• In contrast, there were only 35 claims for flu vaccines and nine claims for HPV vaccines during the same period.
• Only 15 cases have been referred to the VDPS in relation to MMR vaccines.
• Debate on the Covid-19 Vaccine Damage Payments Bill is proposed to be adjourned.
• Module 4 of the bill is scheduled for discussion later, possibly in July next year.
• The debate is ordered to resume on Friday 27 October.