UK Covid vaccine compensation scheme overhauled following inquiry criticism
The UK government has committed to reforming the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme after the Covid Inquiry highlighted that over 24,000 claims saw minimal payouts.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- UK government commits to reforming the vaccine injury compensation scheme.
- Over 24,000 claims filed, but just over 1% resulted in successful payouts.
- Campaign groups demand concrete timelines and a clear commitment to action.
The UK government has pledged to reform the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme (VDPS), a financial support mechanism designed for individuals injured or bereaved by vaccines. This decision follows a prominent recommendation outlined in the fourth report by Baroness Hallett, chair of the UK Covid Inquiry.
While the AstraZeneca Covid vaccine has been widely credited with saving millions of lives globally, a minority of individuals have suffered severe adverse effects. The Inquiry's report emphasized that while these cases represent a minority, the existing support system requires urgent overhaul. Specifically, the current requirement for claimants to prove at least 60% disability has proven ineffective for handling Covid-19 vaccine claims.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Official figures show that more than 24,000 claims have been submitted to the VDPS, yet only slightly over 1% have successfully secured a one-off tax-free award of £120,000. Financial transparency data also revealed that the scheme has incurred £83 million in administrative and assessment costs since April 2022—more than double the £32 million disbursed directly to victims in financial support.
"After more than five years of campaigning, and with the Covid-19 Inquiry explicitly calling for reform as soon as possible, we had hoped the Government would finally come forward with a clear commitment to action, not simply say it would look further at what needs to be done."
Vaccine Injured and Bereaved UK
The leading campaign organization, Vaccine Injured and Bereaved UK, welcomed the government's acknowledgment that vaccine-related injuries and bereavements are genuine and that the current VDPS framework is inadequate. However, representatives expressed frustration that ministers have stopped short of providing a definitive timeline or absolute assurance on when meaningful regulatory changes will take effect.
The restructuring of the UK's vaccine compensation scheme highlights broader global policy challenges in post-pandemic governance. Governments worldwide face the delicate task of balancing public health emergency mandates with fair, transparent accountability systems for individuals who experience rare adverse medical outcomes. High administrative overhead relative to direct payouts often exposes bureaucratic friction, serving as a critical lesson for future public health crisis management.
Source: BBC Health
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