The £120,000 Vaccine Damage Payment: An Expert Guide

If you or your child has been severely disabled as a result of a vaccination against a specified disease in the UK, you may be entitled to a one-off, tax-free payment of £120,000. This is known as the Vaccine Damage Payment (VDP).

The "Severe Disability" Threshold

The most challenging part of the VDP application is proving the level of disability. The DWP defines "severe" as at least 60% disabled.

This is a high threshold, often compared to the loss of a limb or severe neurological impairment. The assessment is medical and requires robust documentation from specialists.

Qualifying Vaccines

Not all vaccines qualify. The scheme covers vaccinations given in the UK for diseases including:

• Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)
• Polio, Tetanus, and Diphtheria
• Influenza (Flu)
• COVID-19 (added to the scheme in 2020)
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

The Application Process

1. Step 1: Contact the VDPS: You apply through the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA), which administers the scheme for the DWP.
2. Step 2: Medical Fact Gathering: The VDPS will contact your GP and specialists to gather all relevant medical records.
3. Step 3: Independent Medical Assessment: A specialist doctor will review the evidence to determine if the vaccine was the "most likely" cause of the disability and if the 60% threshold is met.

Interaction with Other Benefits

Crucially, the Vaccine Damage Payment is not means-tested. Receiving the £120,000 lump sum:

• Does NOT stop you from claiming PIP or DLA.
• Is usually ignored for 52 weeks for means-tested benefits like Universal Credit, allowing you time to place it in a Personal Injury Trust to protect your ongoing benefit entitlement.