FOI-03339

<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>
  </h3>
  
  <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>
</div>
Thank you for your request for information about the following:

<strong>Request</strong>

You asked us:

<i>‘Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme COVID-19 claim volumes and outcomes - 2025 to 2026, Quarter 2
https://opendata.nhsbsa.net/dataset/vdps-covid-19/resource/8241dea1-a6f6-4483-9867-f541bd2199ef , Dated 28th October, 2025

 As per the abovementioned dataset there were 80 bereaved person (cumulative count) awarded claims.

As per the abovementioned dataset there were 234 awarded claims (cumulative count). 

1.	Can you tell me how many of these 80 bereaved persons are associated with to AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine?
2.	Can you tell me how many of these 234 awarded claims are associated with to AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine?
3.	Can you tell me how many of these 234 awarded claims and 80 bereaved persons are associated with mRNA based COVID-19 vaccine (e.g., Moderna, Pfizer, etc.)?’</i>

The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) received your request on 2 November 2025.

We have handled your request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA). 

<Strong>Section 43, FOIA:</Strong>

As mentioned in my email of 2 December 2025, the NHSBSA was considering whether there was any commercial sensitivity in disclosing the information you have requested.

We have now concluded this assessment and determined that some of the information can be disclosed. 

<strong>Our response</strong>

I can confirm that the NHSBSA holds the information you have requested.

All data provided is based on the information the NHSBSA published on its Open Data Portal on 28 October 2025 and relates to COVID-19 vaccines only. All data relates to claims received by the NHSBSA and those transferred from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) on 1 November 2021. 

To protect confidentiality, some cells published as part of the dataset were intentionally left blank where the number of claimants is fewer than five. As such the following information relates to different time periods. 

You can view the dataset and its accompanying explanations here - https://opendata.nhsbsa.net/dataset/vdps-covid-19

<strong>Question 1 - Can you tell me how many of these 80 bereaved persons are associated with to AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine.</strong>

Medical assessors are not responsible for determining a cause of death. The assessors weigh up all available evidence to see if, on the balance of probabilities, a vaccine caused severe disablement (60% or more).

Medical assessors write a medical assessment report for each claim. Their medical assessment report explains how they reached their decision and the evidence considered, including the vaccine type and manufacturer. 
Medical assessors get vaccine manufacturer information directly from healthcare providers’ medical notes about claimants.

Under the Vaccine Damage Payments Act 1979, a claimant does not need to prove that the vaccine definitely caused the disablement – only that it is more likely than not. This is known as “on the balance of probabilities”.

As of 30 September 2025, on the balance of probabilities, 80 claims were awarded where the claimant was bereaved. The reference to bereavement is only to describe the claim was made on behalf of someone who has died and it should not be interpretated as an indication that the death was as a result of the vaccine. 

Of these 80 claims, 74 medical assessment reports mention AstraZeneca. This may not have been the only COVID-19 vaccine administered. 

<strong>Question 2 - Can you tell me how many of these 234 awarded claims are associated with to AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine?</strong>

Under the Vaccine Damage Payments Act 1979 to qualify for a Vaccine Damage Payment, it must be proved that an eligible vaccine was received and:
 <ul>
<li>on the balance of probabilities, the vaccine caused the disability 
<li>the resulting disablement is severe
</ul>
Severely disabled means at least 60% as defined by the principles for assessing the extent of disablement. These are set out in section 103 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 and the Social Security (General Benefit) Regulations 1982: 
<ul>
<li>https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1992/4/contents 
<li>https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1982/1408/schedule/2
</ul>
Medical assessors weigh up all available evidence to see if, on the balance of probabilities, a vaccine caused severe disablement (60% or more). Medical assessors also use clear resources to support their assessment. A list of resources is available online at: https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/vdps-claim-process

Cases are determined on an individual basis using facts from each case. For example, the medical records received directly from healthcare providers involved in a claimant’s care. 

Medical assessors write a medical assessment report for each claim. Their medical assessment report explains how they reached their decision and the evidence considered, including the vaccine type and manufacturer.  
 
Medical assessors get vaccine manufacturer information directly from healthcare providers’ medical notes about the vaccinated person.

Under the Vaccine Damage Payments Act 1979, a claimant does not need to prove that the vaccine definitely caused the disablement – only that it is more likely than not. This is known as “on the balance of probabilities”. 

As of 31 August 2025, on the balance of probabilities, 234 claims had met the criteria for a Vaccine Damage Payment. Of these, 226 medical assessment reports mention AstraZeneca. This may not have been the only COVID-19 vaccine administered.

<Strong>Question 3 - Can you tell me how many of these 234 awarded claims and 80 bereaved persons are associated with mRNA based COVID-19 vaccine (e.g., Moderna, Pfizer, etc.)?</Strong>

As mentioned in our response to question 2, as of 31 August 2025, there have been 234 claims which met the criteria for a Vaccine Damage Payment. Of these, fewer than five mention Pfizer and fewer than five mention Moderna and the remaining claims mention AstraZeneca or more than one COVID-19 vaccine and therefore we are unable to categorise them. For example, where a claim relates to an initial vaccine from one manufacturer and a booster from another. 

As mentioned in our response to question 1, as of 30 September 2025, 80 claims were awarded where the claimant was bereaved. Of these, fewer than five mention Pfizer and fewer than five mention Moderna.

Therefore, in accordance with section 40(2) and section 41 of FOIA, we are unable to provide an updated breakdown by manufacturer which I will explain below. 

<Strong>Fewer than five</Strong>

Please be aware that I have decided not to release the full details where the total number of individuals falls below five or has increased by fewer than five since we last answered this request. This is because the information is exempt under section 40(2) of the FOIA (personal information).

This is because it would breach the first data protection principle as:

a)	it is not fair to disclose individual’s 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 individual

Please see the following link to view the section 40 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 see the following link to view the section 40 exemption in full: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/36/section/41

<strong>Data Queries</strong>

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.

<strong>Reusing the data and copyright</strong>

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