Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme: Covid-19

06 September 2022 · 7 other contributors · 8,759 words

Opened by Jeremy Wright Con Kenilworth and Southam

Responding minister: Maggie Throup

NHS

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Jeremy Wright raised concerns about vaccine damage payment scheme: covid-19 in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Jamie Scott's case is highlighted where the individual suffered from cerebral venous sinus thrombosis and vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia after receiving a vaccination.
  • The Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme has 2,407 applications related to covid-19 vaccines currently being processed at a rate of 13 per month, leading to delays.
  • The Government should reform the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme to remove the percentage disablement requirement and set no upper limit on compensation.

Key requests to Government

The Government should reform the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme to make it more similar to international comparators by removing the percentage disablement requirement and setting no upper limit on compensation. Alternatively, they must find a way to settle legal actions swiftly and fairly to avoid damaging public confidence in the vaccination programme.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Jeremy Wright Con Kenilworth and Southam

Jamie Scott's case is highlighted where the individual suffered from cerebral venous sinus thrombosis and vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia after receiving a vaccination. There are other similar cases like Mrs Birch and Mr Walker who have been severely injured due to state-recommended vaccinations. The Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme takes too long to process applications, with 2,407 applications related to covid-19 vaccines currently being processed at a rate of 13 per month, leading to a significant delay in compensation for families suffering financial distress. Additionally, the scheme requires a 60% level of disablement and limits payouts to £120,000 which is inadequate for serious injuries.

Other contributors (7)
  • Alicia Kearns Con Rutland and Stamford

    My constituent Charlotte suffered multiple health conditions after vaccination, unable to receive support from local clinics or NHS. She requires a clear pathway for care and individual outreach by Ministers. The case load is small enough that Ministers should review each case individually to ensure those affected receive the support they need.

  • Andrew Gwynne Ind Gorton and Denton

    He discussed the slow application process of the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme, citing its penalising effects on those who should benefit from it. Andrew Gwynne praised the right hon. and learned Member for Kenilworth and Southam's case for reform but emphasised the importance of the facts remaining at the heart of the debate while acknowledging the vaccine programme's benefits in saving lives. He raised concerns about operational delays, inadequate support to those affected by rare side effects, and the limited number of deaths associated with the vaccination as per the Official for National Statistics report. Andrew Gwynne also questioned the Minister on the capacity of the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) and its contractor Crawford & Company to process applications in a timely manner.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Shannon praised the contributions of other MPs and highlighted the need for a swift and accessible vaccine damage payment scheme. He noted that over 1,300 claims have been made but only 20 referred for medical assessment, emphasizing the importance of timely assistance to those affected by adverse impacts from vaccines.

  • Martyn Day

    Argued for the need to review the vaccine damage payment scheme, noting serious side effects and valid claims while opposing spurious anti-vax conspiracies. Criticised outdated criteria and called for an uplift in compensation quantity.

  • Philippa Whitford

    Only 2% of recent cases have been successful, and people are left without support for long periods. The VDPS needs urgent reform for covid-19 vaccine users to maintain public confidence in vaccines. Asked if the Minister would give way.

  • Richard Holden Con Basildon and Billericay

    My constituent Lisa Shaw died from a blood clot caused by the vaccine, leaving her family with financial burdens and emotional distress. I argue for expedient resolution of cases to prevent long-term suffering.

  • Wera Hobhouse Lib Dem Bath

    My constituent experienced a blood clot after vaccination, leading to disability and inability to work. She is concerned about not meeting the criteria for damages payout under the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme.

Government Response

Maggie Throup

As always, it is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship. The Minister thanked Members for their participation and offered sympathies to the Member of Parliament's constituent who was present in the Public Gallery today. She highlighted the UK's rigorous vaccine testing process overseen by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). The Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme (VDPS), managed by NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA), provides a one-off, tax-free payment to individuals harmed by vaccines on the balance of probabilities. Since December 2020, VDPS has included covid-19 vaccines, aligning with most comparable countries' established schemes. The Minister acknowledged concerns about the £120,000 payment amount and noted it is a one-off lump-sum not designed to cover lifetime costs; however, individuals can make claims for damages through the courts. The VDPS payment has increased from £10,000 in 1979 to its current level, which will be reviewed as part of business-as-usual policy work. Regarding disability threshold concerns, the Minister noted that while it was lowered from 80% to 60%, there is no evidence that this threshold acts as a significant barrier; only one claim out of 70 was rejected in 2019 and 2020 due to not meeting the threshold. The Minister stated NHSBSA has transformed VDPS administration since taking over operational responsibility in November 2021, significantly increasing its capacity from four caseworkers to 40, with additional support staff recruited. A new contract was awarded to an independent third-party supplier to provide medical assessment capacity for processing covid-19-related claims, allowing the conclusion of the first such claim. Further approaches are being looked at to secure relevant medical documents faster as this has been a key limiting factor in processing rates. The Minister updated Members on VDPS live cases: there are 2,458 live cases, with specific breakdowns provided for each phase of the process. She concluded by stating that now is not the right time to review the VDPS; instead, focus must be on improving and scaling up operations.

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