FOI-02756

<div class="nhsuk-warning-callout">
  <h3 class="nhsuk-warning-callout__label">
    <span role="text">
      <span class="nhsuk-u-visually-hidden">Important: </span>
      2026-01-16: Correction identified in Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme data    </span>
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  <p>An error has been identified in the underlying dataset used to produce this Freedom of Information (FOI) response. The issue relates to the metric “cumulative total of awarded claims to bereaved claimants” within Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme (VDPS) COVID-19 claim volumes and outcomes data.</p> 

  <p>The error has since been corrected in the published VDPS datasets. However, the data contained within this FOI response has not been retrospectively updated, as FOI responses reflect the information held at the time of disclosure.</p>
  <p>We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and recommend that users refer to the amended datasets for the most accurate and up-to-date figures:</p>
<p><a href="https://opendata.nhsbsa.net/dataset/vdps-non-covid-19">https://opendata.nhsbsa.net/dataset/vdps-non-covid-19</a></p>
<p><a href="https://opendata.nhsbsa.net/dataset/vdps-covid-19">https://opendata.nhsbsa.net/dataset/vdps-covid-19</a></p>
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#Request

[With reference to FOI-02611] “Because you list * for the under 5s, the TOTALS are not provided. Can you therefore provide:

1. Total number of successful claims
2. Total number of claims involving a fatality
3. Total number of successful claims involving a fatality

I also note that you have provided data to end of January 2025. Do you not have more upto date data now we are in April?

Do you know how many VDPS claims for the COVID19-19 vaccines were submitted to DWP before NHSBSA took over running of the VDPS scheme?

How many VDPS claims have been made in total for the COVID19 vaccines, including DWP and NHSBSA figures combined?”

On the 23 April 2025 we requested clarification, and you confirmed that questions 1 to 3 relate to COVID-19 vaccines only.

You confirmed you wish to proceed with your request as below:

1. Total number of successful claims
2. Total number of claims involving a fatality
3. Total number of successful claims involving a fatality
4. Do you know how many VDPS claims for the COVID-19 vaccines were submitted to DWP before NHSBSA took over running of the VDPS scheme?
5. How many VDPS claims have been made in total for the COVID-19 vaccines, including DWP and NHSBSA figures combined?

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 a copy of the information and notes explaining it is below.

Please read the below notes to ensure correct understanding of the data.

All data as of 31 March 2025. All data relates to claims received by the NHSBSA and those transferred from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) on 1 November 2021. All figures provided relate to COVID-19 vaccines only.

__Question 1 - Total number of successful claims__

217 claimants have been notified that they are entitled to a Vaccine Damage Payment.

__Question 2 - Total number of claims involving a fatality__

1,172 claims were submitted on behalf of someone who has died. However, this does not necessarily mean a COVID-19 vaccine caused the vaccinated person’s death. This number may include claims on behalf of a person whose cause of death was not related to the vaccine.

__Question 3 - Total number of successful claims involving a fatality__

75 claims where an award outcome has been communicated were made on behalf of someone who has died.

__Question 4 - Do you know how many VDPS claims for the COVID-19 vaccines were submitted to DWP before NHSBSA took over running of the VDPS scheme?__

The NHSBSA has administered the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme (VDPS) on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) since 1 November 2021. DWP administered the VDPS prior to this date. DWP transferred 466 COVID-19 vaccine related claims to us.

__Question 5 - How many VDPS claims have been made in total for the COVID-19 vaccines, including DWP and NHSBSA figures combined?__

19,895 claims have been submitted to the VDPS.


#Data Queries

Please contact foirequests@nhsbsa.nhs.uk 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 communicationsteam@nhsbsa.nhs.uk. 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 2025”. 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: VDPS, Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme
Organization: Freedom of Information Disclosure Log