TSEM5935 - Trusts for particular purposes: trusts administered by the Official Solicitor and Public Trustee: Vaccine Damage Payment Act 1979

The Public Trustee acts as trustee of a number of vaccine damage awards made by the Vaccine Damage Payments Unit of the Department of Work and Pensions for mentally disabled or minor beneficiaries. Under the vaccine damage payments scheme, tax-free payments of £100,000 are made to severely disabled persons whose disability was caused by vaccination against a wide variety of diseases. The Secretary of State has a discretionary power to settle these payments where appropriate.