FOI-03777

##Request

You asked us:

<i>In line with figures published in the latest VDPS data set for claims related to a Covid 19 vaccine up to 31 Mar 2026, please provide the following data

https://opendata.nhsbsa.net/dataset/vdps-covid-19/resource/05fc48d7-30c9-462d-afa0-e172e12ded41

1) Please provide a breakdown of the vaccines involved in the claims that have received an outcome.

2) Please provide a breakdown of which vaccine was used in the claims awarded.

3) Using the figure of 568 (data published cover claims up to 31 Mar 2026). Please give a breakdown of the number of claims unsuccessful on the disability criteria when causation has been accepted, with at least 20% disability, at least 30% disability, at least 40% disability and at least 50%.

***If you are unable to provide a figure for all the percentages requested due to increases of less than 5, is it possible to provide a figure for all the claims rejected on disability with at least 16% disability.

4) Is it possible to give the conditions that have met the criteria e.g VITT, GBS?

5) Using the figure 2750 provided in the data set up to 31st Mar 2026, how many mandatory reversal decisions have been reversed, resulting in an award? How many mandatory reversal decisions have resulted in causation being removed?

6) Please provide the number of claims successful following an appeal to HMCTS.

7) The figure 252 has been published for claims awarded according to the dataset. How many of the claimants that received an award had to wait over 12months, 18 months, 24 months for an award. This being the date application was received by the VDPS to the date the claimant was informed their claim had been accepted and an award would be given.’

On 5 May 2025 you clarified your request:

‘I would like to know the total number of claims where the claimant has requested a mandatory reversal, that have resulted in an award being made following the re assessment. This could be after the initial decision, or where a claimant has requested multiple mandatory reversals. Basically the total number of mandatory reversals that have resulted in an award following an unsuccessful claim, using the 2750  figure in the dataset as of the 31st March 2026</i>

The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) received your request on 24 April 2026.

We have handled your request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA). 

##Our response

I can confirm that the NHSBSA holds the information you have requested and is based on the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme (VDPS) data published on our Open Data Portal (ODP). For questions 1 to 6 the data provided is as of 31 March 2026, for question 7 the data provided is as of 28 February 2026. All data relates to COVID-19 vaccine claims only.

<strong>Fewer than five</strong>

Please be aware that I have decided not to release exact numbers, where the number is fewer than 5. This is because the claimants could be identified when combined with other information that may be in the public domain or reasonably available. Online communities exist for those adversely affected by vaccines they have received. This further increases the likelihood that those may be identified by disclosure of this information.

This information falls under the exemption in section 40 subsections 2 and 3A (a) of the Freedom of Information Act.

This is because it would breach the first data protection principle as:

a)	It is not fair to disclose claimant personal details to the world and is likely to cause damage or distress.<br>
b)	These details are not of sufficient interest to the public to warrant an intrusion into the privacy of the claimant.

Please click the web link below to see the exemption in full:  
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/36/section/40

<strong>Breach of Confidentiality</strong>

Please note that the identification of individuals is also a breach of the common law duty of confidence. An individual who has been identified could make a claim against the NHSBSA for the disclosure of the confidential information.

The information requested is therefore being withheld as it falls under the exemption in section 41(1) ‘Information provided in confidence’ of the FOIA.

Please click the below web link to see the exemption in full: 
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/36/section/41

<strong>Question 1 - Please provide a breakdown of the vaccines involved in the claims that have received an outcome.</strong>

Of the claims which have received an outcome:
<ul>
<li>8,211 relate to AstraZeneca</li>
<li>6,254 relate to Pfizer</li>
<li>710 relate to Moderna</li>
<li>fewer than five relate to Novavax</li>
<li>fewer than five relate to Janssen</li>
<li>fewer than five relate to Valneva</li></ul>

Please note that the breakdown provided only includes claims which related to one COVID-19 vaccine manufacturer. 

The remainder of claims cannot be categorised because they relate to more than one COVID-19 vaccine. For example, where a claim relates to an initial vaccine from one manufacturer and a booster from another.

<strong>Question 2 - Please provide a breakdown of which vaccine was used in the claims awarded.</strong>

Of the number of claims that have already received an outcome:
<ul>
<li>241 relate to AstraZeneca</li>
<li>6 relate to Pfizer</li></ul>

Further requested breakdown by vaccine manufacturer has not been provided. This is because the small changes in numbers when compared to figures provided previously, in response to similar Freedom of Information requests, could result in claimants being identified. Therefore, as detailed above in accordance with section 40 (2) and section 41 of FOIA, we are unable to provide a further detailed breakdown by manufacturer.

<strong>Question 3 - Using the figure of 568 (data published cover claims up to 31 Mar 2026). Please give a breakdown of the number of claims unsuccessful on the disability criteria when causation has been accepted, with at least 20% disability, at least 30% disability, at least 40% disability and at least 50%.

***If you are unable to provide a figure for all the percentages requested due to increases of less than 5, is it possible to provide a figure for all the claims rejected on disability with at least 16% disability.</strong>

The NHSBSA publishes data about the VDPS on our ODP:
 https://opendata.nhsbsa.net/dataset/vdps-covid-19

This data shows that 568 claims were unsuccessful because, although the claims met the criteria for causation, the medical assessor recommended that the vaccine did not cause severe disablement.

Under the VDPS, severe disablement means at least 60% disabled, based on Schedule 2 of The Social Security (General Benefit) Regulations 1982:  
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1982/1408/schedule/2

Of the 568 claims, there were 233 claims rejected because following a medical assessment, the assessed disablement was more than 20% but less than 60%.

A further breakdown by level of disability for the remaining unsuccessful claims has not been provided. This is because the small changes in numbers when compared to figures provided previously in response to similar Freedom of Information requests, as well as the cumulative figures the NHSBSA publishes, provides a less than five figure for some of the percentages you have specified and may result in claimants being identified.

Therefore, in accordance with section 40(2) and section 41 of the FOIA this information cannot be disclosed. Details of these exemptions are outlined above.

<strong>Question 4 - Is it possible to give the conditions that have met the criteria e.g VITT, GBS?</strong>

The list of awarded conditions has been updated following a recent review:
<ul>
<li>Acute allergic reaction</li>
<li>Anaphylaxis</li>
<li>Bell's palsy</li>
<li>Capillary leak syndrome</li>
<li>Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP)</li>
<li>Guillain-Barre syndrome</li>
<li>Immune thrombocytopenia</li>
<li>Myocarditis / pericarditis</li>
<li>Transverse myelitis</li>
<li>VITT/Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis</li></ul>

Other: We are unable to provide a breakdown of those categorised as other as this would provide conditions which are fewer than five and is therefore exempt under section 40(2) and section 41 of the FOIA as described above.

<strong>Question 5 - Using the figure 2750 provided in the data set up to 31st Mar 2026, how many mandatory reversal decisions have been reversed, resulting in an award? How many mandatory reversal decisions have resulted in causation being removed?</strong>

At the mandatory reversal stage, a claimant is advised that they can add further evidence to support their claim. For example, a claimant can ask the NHSBSA to contact healthcare providers to obtain evidence of further treatment received since their original claim.

Under the government’s rules for the VDPS, there is no limit on the number of times a claimant can request a mandatory reversal, and there is no time limit.

Since the disclosure of FOI-03579 the number of mandatory reversals decisions reversed that have resulted in an award has increased by fewer than 5. This information is therefore withheld under section 40(2) and section 41 of the FOIA as explained above. 

You can view FOI-03579 using the following link:
https://opendata.nhsbsa.net/dataset/foi-03579 

<strong>Question 6 - Please provide the number of claims successful following an appeal to HMCTS.</strong>

A breakdown has not been provided. This is because it would provide a less than five figure and is therefore withheld under section 40(2) and section 41 of the FOIA as described above. 

<strong>Question 7 - The figure 252 has been published for claims awarded according to the dataset. How many of the claimants that received an award had to wait over 12months, 18 months, 24 months for an award. This being the date application was received by the VDPS to the date the claimant was informed their claim had been accepted and an award would be given.</strong>

The length of time it takes to progress a claim to the medical assessment stage depends on how long it takes for the healthcare providers listed on the claim form to send medical records to us. We’re working with healthcare providers to speed up their response times to requests for medical records.

The NHSBSA publishes data about the VDPS on our ODP:
 https://opendata.nhsbsa.net/dataset/vdps-covid-19

As of 28 February 2026, on the ODP, of the 252 claims which have been awarded:
<ul>
<li>133 claims took 12 to 18 months to reach an award</li></ul>

Since the publication of FOI-03579:
<ul>
<li>the number of claims that were received more than 18 months ago and have not reached an outcome has increased by fewer than five </li>
<li>the number of claims that were received more than 24 months ago and have not reached an outcome has increased by fewer than five</li></ul>

You can view FOI-03579 using the following link:
https://opendata.nhsbsa.net/dataset/foi-03579 

##Data Queries

Please contact <a href=mailto:foirequests@nhsbsa.nhs.uk>foirequests@nhsbsa.nhs.uk</a>  ensuring you quote the above reference if you have any specific questions regarding this response; or, if you feel you may be misunderstanding or misinterpreting the information; or, if you plan on publishing the data.

##Reusing the data and copyright

If you plan on producing a press or broadcast story based upon the data please contact <a href=mailto:communicationsteam@nhsbsa.nhs.uk>communicationsteam@nhsbsa.nhs.uk</a>. This is important to ensure that the figures are not misunderstood or misrepresented.

The information supplied to you continues to be protected by the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 and is subject to NHSBSA copyright. This information is licenced under the terms of the Open Government Licence detailed at: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

Should you wish to re-use the information you must include the following statement: “NHSBSA Copyright 2026” This information is licenced under the terms of the Open Government Licence:<br>
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

Failure to do so is a breach of the terms of the licence.

Information you receive which is not subject to NHSBSA Copyright continues to be protected by the copyright of the person, or organisation, from which the information originated. Please obtain their permission before reproducing any third party (non NHSBSA Copyright) information.


Tags: NHSBSA corporate, VDPS, Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme, nhsbsa
Organization: Freedom of Information Disclosure Log