The UK government has committed to reforming the vaccine compensation scheme following a scathing assessment by the UK Covid Inquiry. The inquiry chair, Baroness Hallett, described the current system as not sufficiently supportive and called for urgent changes to better assist those injured by the vaccines.
More than 24,000 claims have been submitted to the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme (VDPS) since the pandemic began. The vast majority of these relate to the AstraZeneca jab, which has been credited with saving millions of lives globally. Despite the high volume of applications, just over 1 percent of claims have resulted in a tax-free award of £120,000.
High Rejection Rates and Administrative Costs
The current system requires claimants to prove they are at least 60 percent disabled to qualify for support. Critics argue this threshold is ineffective for assessing injuries caused by Covid vaccines. The inquiry report highlighted that the scheme fails to provide adequate financial backing for the minority of people who have suffered harm.
Financial transparency has also become a point of contention. Data revealed that the VDPS has cost £83 million to administer since April 2022. This figure is more than double the £32 million actually paid out in financial support to victims. Ministers have acknowledged concerns regarding these running costs and promised to ensure the scheme operates more effectively.
Campaigners Demand Concrete Action
Vaccine Injured and Bereaved UK, a leading campaign group, welcomed the government’s acknowledgment that vaccine injury is real and that the existing framework is flawed. However, the group expressed disappointment at the lack of a specific timeline for implementation.
In a statement, the organization noted that while the government agreed the system needed review, this did not equate to a firm commitment to action. The group emphasized that after five years of campaigning, families are still waiting for a clear timetable and certainty about what changes will be delivered.
Baroness Hallett’s fourth report stressed that while vaccination benefits are well documented, the support for those affected requires immediate attention. The government response indicated that ministers in England will work closely with other UK nations and affected families to develop a system that is fit for purpose.
Source: BBC
