FOI-03458

<p>I am writing to confirm that I have now completed my search for the information which you requested on 13 December 2025.</p>
<p><strong>Request</strong></p>
<p><em>You asked us:</em></p>
<p><em>‘In line with figures published in the latest VDPS data set up to 30 Sept 2025, please provide the following data</em></p>
<p><em>1) Please provide a breakdown of the vaccines involved in the claims that have received an outcome?</em></p>
<p><em>2) Please provide a breakdown of which vaccine was used in the claims awarded.</em></p>
<p><em>3) Using the figure of 520 (data as of Sept 2025). 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%. I am unaware of any breakdown showing a breakdown of disability level on data after 31 Jan 2025 where the number of claims rejected on disability stood at 445.</em></p>
<p><em>***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 20% disability.</em></p>
<p><em>4) Is it possible to give the conditions that have met the criteria e.g VITT, GBS?</em></p>
<p><em>5) Using the figure 2386 provided in the data set up to 30 Sept 2025, how many mandatory reversal decisions have been reversed, resulting in an award? How many mandatory reversal decisions have resulted in causation being removed?</em></p>
<p><em>6) How many appeals to the tribunal have been filed? How many have received an outcome? Have any decisions been reversed?</em></p>
<p><em>7) How many mandatory reversal decisions have resulted in causation being removed?’</em></p>
<p>The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) received your request on 13 December 2025.</p>
<p>We have handled your request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA).</p>
<p><strong>Our response</strong></p>
<p>I can confirm that the NHSBSA holds the information you have requested. All information is as of 30 September 2025 and relates to COVID-19 vaccine claims only.</p>
<p><strong>Fewer than five</strong></p>
<p>Please be aware that I have decided not to release the exact number of awards, 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.</p>
<p>This information falls under the exemption in section 40 subsections 2 and 3A (a) of the Freedom of Information Act.</p>
<p>This is because it would breach the first data protection principle as:</p>
<p>a) It is not fair to disclose claimant personal details to the world and is likely to cause damage or distress.</p>
<p>b) These details are not of sufficient interest to the public to warrant an intrusion into the privacy of the claimant.</p>
<p>Please click the web link below to see the exemption in full: 
<a href="https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/36/section/40">
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/36/section/40</a></p>

<p><strong>Breach of Patient Confidentiality</strong></p>
<p>Please note that the identification of claimants is also a breach of the common law duty of confidence. A claimant who has been identified could make a claim against the NHSBSA for the disclosure of the confidential information.</p>
<p>The information requested is therefore being withheld as it falls under the exemption in section 41(1) ‘Information provided in confidence’ of the Freedom of Information Act.</p>
<p>Please click the below web link to see the exemption in full: 
<a href="https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/36/section/41">
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/36/section/41</a></p>

<p><strong>Question 1 - Please provide a breakdown of the vaccines involved in the claims that have received an outcome?</strong></p>
<p>Of the claims which have received an outcome:</p>
<p>7,065 relate to AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine</p>
<p>5,080 relate to Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine</p>
<p>600 relate to Moderna COVID-19 vaccine</p>
<p>fewer than 5 relate to Novarax COVID-19 vaccine</p>
<p>fewer than 5 relate to Janssen COVID-19 vaccine</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p><strong>Question 2 - Please provide a breakdown of which vaccine was used in the claims awarded.</strong></p>
<p>Of the amount of claims which have already received an outcome:</p>
<p>228 relate to AstraZeneca</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p><strong>Question 3 - Using the figure of 520 (data as of Sept 2025). 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%. I am unaware of any breakdown showing a breakdown of disability level on data after 31 Jan 2025 where the number of claims rejected on disability stood at 445.</strong></p>
<p>***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 20% disability.</p>
<p>The NHSBSA publishes data about the VDPS on our Open Data Portal:<a href=" https://opendata.nhsbsa.net/dataset/vdps-covid-19">
https://opendata.nhsbsa.net/dataset/vdps-covid-19</a></p>
<p>This data shows that 520 claims were unsuccessful because, although the claims met the criteria for causation, the medical assessor recommended that the vaccine did not cause severe disablement.</p>
<p>Under the VDPS, severe disablement means at least 60% disabled, based on Schedule 2 of The Social Security (General Benefit) Regulations 1982: 
<a href="https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1982/1408/schedule/2">
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1982/1408/schedule/2</a></p>
<p>Of the 520 claims, there were 217 claims rejected because following a medical assessment, the assessed disablement was more than 20% but less than 60%.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p><strong>Question 4 - Is it possible to give the conditions that have met the criteria e.g VITT, GBS?</strong></p>
<p>The list of awarded conditions has been updated following a recent review:</p>
<p>Acute allergic reaction</p>
<p>Anaphylaxis</p>
<p>Bell's palsy</p>
<p>Capillary leak syndrome</p>
<p>Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP)</p>
<p>Guillain-Barre syndrome</p>
<p>Immune thrombocytopenia</p>
<p>Myocarditis / pericarditis</p>
<p>Transverse myelitis</p>
<p>VITT/Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p><strong>Question 5 - Using the figure 2386 provided in the data set up to 30 Sept 2025, how many mandatory reversal decisions have been reversed, resulting in an award?</strong></p>
<p>We are unable to provide the number of mandatory reversals which have resulted in an award. In FOI 02865 we disclosed that there were 26 claimants who have been notified they are entitled to a Vaccine Damage Payment following a mandatory reversal and because this figure has increased by fewer than five it is therefore is exempt under section 40(2) and section 41 of the FOIA.</p>
<p>You can view FOI 02865 using the following link:</p>
<p><a href="https://opendata.nhsbsa.net/dataset/foi-02865">
https://opendata.nhsbsa.net/dataset/foi-02865</a></p>
<p>How many mandatory reversal decisions have resulted in causation being removed?</p>
<p>We are unable to provide the number of mandatory reversals decisions which have resulted in causation being removed. In FOI 03171 we disclosed that there were 14 claims where medical assessors, on the balance of probabilities, assessed that a vaccine caused severe disablement. However, when these claims were assessed again as part of a mandatory reversal, it was assessed, on the balance of probabilities, that the vaccine did not cause severe disablement. This was based on the latest facts of the claim, including scientific evidence and medical records, and because this figure has increased by fewer than five it is therefore exempt under section 40(2) and section 41 of the FOIA.</p>
<p>You can view FOI 03171 using the following link:</p>
<p><a href="https://opendata.nhsbsa.net/dataset/foi-03171">
https://opendata.nhsbsa.net/dataset/foi-03171</a></p>
<p><strong>Question 6 - How many appeals to the tribunal have been filed?</strong></p>
<p>Under Section 21 of the FOIA, we are not required to provide information in response to a request if it is already reasonably accessible to you.</p>
<p>The NHSBSA actively publishes information on claims made to the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme (VDPS) on the Open Data Portal for both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 claims.</p>
<p>To protect confidentiality, cells are intentionally left blank where changes equal fewer than five.</p>
<p>You can find the Open Data Portal at:</p>
<p><a href="https://opendata.nhsbsa.net/dataset/vdps-covid-19">
https://opendata.nhsbsa.net/dataset/vdps-covid-19</a></p>
<p>Please see the following link to view the section 21 in full: <a href="https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/36/section/21">
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/36/section/21</a></p>
<p>How many have received an outcome?</p>
<p>34 claims have received an outcome from HMCTS through the tribunal process.</p>
<p>Have any decisions been reversed?</p>
<p>A breakdown by outcome 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.</p>
<p><strong>Question 7 - How many mandatory reversal decisions have resulted in causation being removed?</strong></p>
<p>As mentioned in our response to question 5, we are unable to provide the number of mandatory reversal decisions which have resulted in causation being removed.</p>
<p>In FOI 03171 we disclosed that there were 14 claims where medical assessors, on the balance of probabilities, assessed that a vaccine caused severe disablement. However, when these claims were assessed again as part of a mandatory reversal, it was assessed, on the balance of probabilities, that the vaccine did not cause severe disablement. This was based on the latest facts of the claim, including scientific evidence and medical records, and this figure has increased by fewer than five and therefore is exempt under section 40(2) and section 41 of the FOIA.</p>
<p>You can view FOI 03171 using the following link:</p>
<p><a href="https://opendata.nhsbsa.net/dataset/foi-03171">
https://opendata.nhsbsa.net/dataset/foi-03171</a></p>


<p><strong>Data Queries</strong></p>
<p>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.</p>

<p><strong>Reusing the data and copyright</strong></p>
<p>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.</p>

<p>The information supplied to you continues to be protected by the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 and is subject to NHSBSA copyright.</p>

<p>Should you wish to re-use the information you must include the following statement:</p>
<p>“NHSBSA Copyright 2026” This information is licenced under the terms of the Open Government Licence:</p>
<p>http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/</p>

<p>Failure to do so is a breach of the terms of the licence.</p>

<p>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.</p>


Tags: Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme
Organization: Freedom of Information Disclosure Log