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

You can also apply on someone else鈥檚 behalf if:

• they鈥檙e under 16 and you鈥檙e their parent or guardian
• they鈥檙e not able to manage their own affairs and you act as their representative
• they鈥檝e 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.

You could get a payment if you鈥檙e 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鈥檙e severely disabled because either:

• your mother was vaccinated against one of the diseases in the list while she was pregnant
• you鈥檝e been in close physical contact with someone who鈥檚 had an oral vaccine against poliomyelitis

What counts as 鈥榮everely disabled鈥�

Disablement is worked out as a percentage, and 鈥榮evere disablement鈥� 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鈥檒l get paid directly if you鈥檙e over 18 and can manage your own affairs. If you鈥檙e 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聽paid into an account - for example, your bank account.

You can apply online or fill in and post a paper form.

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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鈥檝e 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鈥檙e disabled
• apply for equipment for your home if you鈥檙e disabled
• get a Bereavement Support Payment, if you鈥檙e claiming a Vaccine Damage Payment for someone who has died

You can challenge a decision about your Vaccine Damage Payment claim. This is called asking for a 鈥榤andatory reversal鈥�.

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

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.

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鈥檒l get a 鈥榤andatory reversal notice鈥� 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鈥檚 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鈥檒l 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.