Running costs of vaccine damage scheme more than double amount paid to victims
The cost of administration and medical checks has now topped £83m, according to new figures.
Since March 2022, the government's Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme (VDPS) has spent £83 million to support individuals injured by Covid vaccines, according to new figures. This administrative and medical assessment expenditure is more than double the £32 million in financial support paid to victims. The Taxpayers' Alliance, a tax and spending watchdog, expressed shock at the costs and demanded an urgent review of the scheme.
The NHSBSA, which administers the VDPS for the government, attributes the rising costs to a surge in the number of claims. Since November 2021, there have been 24,260 claims, with only 264 resulting in successful payouts. The VDPS, established in 1979 to assist those harmed by vaccines, has seen a sharp increase in applications due to the pandemic.
Most recent applications are linked to the AstraZeneca vaccine and other Covid jabs. Despite the documented benefits of vaccination, the injuries sustained by some are severe. Claimants must undergo independent medical assessments to determine if they meet the criteria for a £120,000 one-off tax-free payment. The costs of these assessments have risen significantly, from £4.3 million in 2022/23 to £19.3 million in 2025/26.
The scheme's inefficiency is underscored by the growing administrative and medical assessment costs, prompting calls for reform.
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