Reform the VDPA 1979 to improve support for those harmed by covid-19 vaccines
- Parliament:
- 2019–24
- Signatures:
- 18,778
- Responded:
- 5 Aug 2021
- Department:
- Department of Health and Social Care
The petition
Reform the Vaccine Damage Payments Act 1979 so that it can provide more timely and substantive support for those harmed as a result of receiving a covid-19 vaccine. The current scheme is archaic and inadequate. The new scheme should be more accessible, visible and applicant friendly.
The Pearson Commission found that those injured as a result of vaccination should have access to financial support. The VDPA was intended to provide that access, but fails: data suggests that less than 2% of applications in recent years have been successful, and there is a maximum payment of £120,000 and a threshold of 60% disablement. Reforming the VDPA will maintain vaccine confidence and provide urgent support for those injured/bereaved through covid-19 vaccination.
The government's response
The Government has a robust system to monitor potential side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine and has added the vaccine to the VDPS. We will consider further action as more evidence becomes available.
The Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme (VDPS) was established in 1979 with the aim of easing the financial burden on those individuals where, on very rare occasions, vaccination has caused severe disablement. VDPS is not a compensation scheme, so it does not preclude an individual from seeking damages through the courts. It sits alongside other Government schemes to support anyone with a long-term health condition or a disability. These include Statutory Sick Pay, Universal Credit, ESA, Attendance Allowance and PIP.
COVID-19 was added to the scheme in December 2020, to provide reassurance of the safety of the vaccines being used in the COVID-19 vaccination programme, and to ensure those receiving the COVID-19 vaccine would receive the same support as for other Government-recommended vaccines, in the extremely unlikely event that they were to experience severe disablement as a result of their vaccination.
The MHRA Yellow Card reporting scheme provides a robust system for review, reporting and monitoring of any adverse incidents relating to COVID-19 vaccines. It enables healthcare professionals and the public, including patients, carers and parents, to report any suspected side effect following the administration of a vaccine, so the regulator can take action in response to concerns identified, if appropriate. Detailed information on this scheme and its data on the COVID-19 vaccine can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-vaccine-adverse-reactions/coronavirus-vaccine-summary-of-yellow-card-reporting