If you’re severely disabled as a result of a vaccination against certain diseases, you could get a one-off tax-free payment of £120,000. You can also apply on someone else’s behalf if: they’re under 16 and you’re their parent or guardian they’re not able to manage their own affairs and you act as their representative they’ve died and you manage their estate Vaccine Damage Payments are not a compensation scheme. You can still take legal action to claim compensation, even if you get a Vaccine Damage Payment. This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg) .

You could get a payment if you’re severely disabled and your disability was caused by vaccination against any of the following diseases: coronavirus (COVID-19) diphtheria haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) human papillomavirus influenza, except for influenza caused by a pandemic influenza virus measles meningococcal group B (meningitis B) meningococcal group C (meningitis C) meningococcal group W (meningitis W) mumps pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 (swine flu) - up to 31 August 2010 pertussis (whooping cough) pneumococcal infection poliomyelitis rotavirus rubella (German measles) smallpox - up to 1 August 1971 tetanus tuberculosis (TB) You may have had a combined vaccination against a number of the diseases listed. For example, you might have been vaccinated against DTP (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis) or MMR (measles, mumps and rubella). You may also be able to get a payment if you’re severely disabled because either: your mother was vaccinated against one of the diseases in the list while she was pregnant you’ve been in close physical contact with someone who’s had an oral vaccine against poliomyelitis You can also apply for this payment on behalf of someone who has died after becoming severely disabled because of one of these vaccinations. You need to be managing their estate to apply. What counts as ‘severely disabled’ Disablement is worked out as a percentage, and ‘severe disablement’ means at least 60% disabled. This could be a mental or physical disablement and will be based on medical evidence from the doctors or hospitals involved in your treatment. When and where the vaccination must have taken place You must normally have been vaccinated before your 18th birthday, unless the vaccination was during an outbreak of disease in the UK or the Isle of Man, or it was against: coronavirus (COVID-19) poliomyelitis rubella meningococcal group C human papillomavirus pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 (swine flu) meningococcal group W before your 26th birthday influenza The vaccination must have been given in the UK or the Isle of Man, unless you were vaccinated as part of your armed forces medical treatment.

You’ll get paid directly if you’re over 18 and can manage your own affairs. If you’re under 18 or you cannot manage your own affairs, the payment will be made to your trustees. If you live with your family, your parents may be appointed as trustees. All benefits, pensions and allowances are paid into an account - for example, your bank account.

You can apply online or fill in and post a paper form. Claim for a Vaccine Damage Payment on the NHSBSA website . You do not need a legal representative, such as a solicitor, to apply for a Vaccine Damage Payment. Time limits on making a claim You can only claim for a child once they are 2 years old. To claim for an adult, apply by whichever is the latest of the following dates: on or before their 21st birthday (or if they’ve died, the date they would have reached 21) within 6 years of the vaccination Other help you can get You might be able to: get financial help if you’re disabled apply for equipment for your home if you’re disabled get a Bereavement Support Payment , if you’re claiming a Vaccine Damage Payment for someone who has died

If you disagree with a decision

You can challenge a decision about your Vaccine Damage Payment claim. This is called asking for a ‘mandatory reversal’. If the decision was made after 27 October 2013 Write to the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme. You must: explain why you think the decision is wrong include any new evidence to support your application - only include evidence you have not already sent Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme Unit 5 Greenfinch Way Newburn Business Park Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE15 8NX You need to include: the date of the original payment decision your name and address your date of birth your National Insurance number If the decision was made on or before 27 October 2013 Contact the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme for advice on challenging the decision. Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme vdps@nhsbsa.nhs.uk Telephone: 0300 330 0013 Monday to Friday, 8am to 4:30pm Find out about call charges What happens next The original decision will be reviewed. The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) will send you a new decision if they think it should be changed. If they do not think the decision should be changed, you’ll get a ‘mandatory reversal notice’ that will explain the reasons why. This will include the information you need to be able to appeal. If you disagree with the outcome You can ask for mandatory reversal again - there’s no limit on the number of times you can make this request, and no time limit. You can also appeal to the Social Security and Child Support Tribunal. The tribunal is impartial and independent of government. There is no time limit for requesting an appeal. Download and fill in form SSCS7 and send it to the address on the form. You’ll need to choose whether you want to go to the tribunal hearing to explain your case. If you do not attend, your appeal will be decided on your appeal form and any supporting evidence. After you submit your appeal, you can provide evidence. Your appeal and the evidence will be discussed at a hearing by a judge and one or two experts, for example a doctor. The judge will then make a decision. It usually takes around 6 months for your appeal to be heard by the tribunal.

Vaccine Damage Payment

Overview

If you’re severely disabled as a result of a vaccination against certain diseases, you could get a one-off tax-free payment of £120,000.

You can also apply on someone else’s behalf if:

they’re under 16 and you’re their parent or guardian
they’re not able to manage their own affairs and you act as their representative
they’ve died and you manage their estate

Vaccine Damage Payments are not a compensation scheme. You can still take legal action to claim compensation, even if you get a Vaccine Damage Payment.

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

View a printable version of the whole guide

Vaccine Damage Payment

Overview

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Vaccine Damage Payment

Overview

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