Government data reveals that administrative and assessment costs for the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme have surpassed the total amount paid to claimants.
Key facts
- •The VDPS spent £83 million on administration and medical reviews between April 2022 and March 2026.
- •Total damages paid to vaccine-injured or bereaved individuals reached £31.6 million by June 2026.
- •Medical assessment costs increased from £4.3 million in 2022/23 to £19.3 million in 2025/26.
- •The NHSBSA has managed the scheme since November 2021.
- •The Covid public inquiry recommended increasing payouts and basing them on the degree of injury.
The UK government has disclosed that the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme (VDPS) spent £83 million on administration, staffing, and medical reviews between April 2022 and March 2026. During this same period, total damages paid to individuals injured or deceased following Covid vaccinations reached £31.6 million as of June 2026. These figures were released in response to a parliamentary question from Conservative MP Sir Christopher Chope.
By the numbers
Rising assessment and administrative costs
The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA), which manages the scheme, attributed the high costs to a significant increase in claims since it assumed administration in November 2021. Expenses for medical assessments alone rose from £4.3 million in the 2022/23 period to £19.3 million in 2025/26. Under the current system, applicants must undergo an independent medical review to determine if they meet the threshold for severe disablement before becoming eligible for a one-off £120,000 payment.
Calls for reform and government response
Campaign group Vaccine Injured and Bereaved UK (VIBUK) has criticized the scheme as inefficient, with representative Kate Scott calling for reforms based on recommendations from the Covid public inquiry. Baroness Heather Hallett, chair of the inquiry, previously suggested increasing payouts and scaling them based on the severity of injuries. The Department for Health and Social Care stated it is considering these recommendations and intends to respond shortly, while the Taxpayers' Alliance has urged the government to reduce bureaucracy.
Timeline
- November 2021The NHSBSA took over administration of the VDPS.
- April 2022Start of the period for which £83 million in administrative costs were reported.
- June 2026Total damages paid to victims reached £31.6 million.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by BBC Health.
