Running costs of vaccine damage scheme more than double amount paid to victims
The UK government has spent £83m on administrative and medical assessment costs for the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme, significantly outpacing the £32m paid to victims. Critics are calling for a review of the scheme's efficiency.
Why it matters
It raises concerns about government spending efficiency and the adequacy of support for individuals suffering from rare vaccine-related injuries.
Image caption, More than 24,000 Covid vaccine-harm claims have been made - most relating to the AstraZeneca jab
The government scheme to support people injured by Covid vaccines and other jabs has cost £83m to run since April 2022, new figures have revealed.
The amount spent on administration costs and medical assessments is more than double the £32m paid out in financial support to victims so far.
The Taxpayers' Alliance think tank said the public would be "stunned" at the cost and called for the government to urgently review the scheme.
NHSBSA which runs the scheme for the government says rising numbers of claims are behind the increasing administrative and medical assessor supplier costs.
Firm assessing Covid vaccine harm replaced after costs spiral to £48m
Published 18 February Families failed by Covid jabs tell inquiry of pain
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