Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how long the average claim to the Vaccine Damages Payment Scheme takes to be (a) investigated and (b) processed.

The average claim under the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme is investigated and processed in approximately six months from the date of receipt. Medical assessments for each claim commence once the NHS Business Services Authority receives full medical records from a claimant’s general practitioner, medical providers, local authorities and other relevant healthcare providers. Once sufficient evidence is gathered, claims are assessed by an independent and experienced medical adviser. The NHS Business Services Authority provides updates on progress to the individual claimant.