A payment system to help those left disabled after having a vaccine and families of those who died is to be reviewed after a rise in claims following the pandemic.

Health Secretary Victoria Atkins has asked officials in her department to look at how the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme (VDPS) could be reformed.

It comes amid concerns that it is struggling to cope following a huge number of claims from those suffering from side-effects after having the Covid-19 jab.

Claims rose to 4,008 last year – up from 480 in 2022, 26 in 2020 and 27 in 2019, official figures show. Separate data reveals that up to April 26 this year, 11,022 claims were made to the scheme in connection with Covid jabs. 

It is not a compensation scheme but is intended to 'ease the present and future burdens of those suffering from severe vaccine damage, and their families'. Victims and families are still entitled to sue for compensation.

Health Secretary Victoria Atkins has asked officials in her department to look at how the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme (VDPS) could be reformed (file image) 

Financing the scheme has risen from £600,000 in 2021-22 to £16.1million in 2023-24. Its one-off £120,000 payment has not risen in line with inflation since 2007. Minister Esther McVey is understood to be among those calling for reforms to the scheme.

Last week, drugs firm AstraZeneca admitted in court papers that its Covid vaccine can cause a rare side-effect. It is facing claims that the jab caused death and serious injury in 75 cases.

Charlet Crichton, from charity UKCVFamily, which supports those suffering from Covid vaccine side-effects, told The Sunday Telegraph: 'Ministers say you can use the £120,000 payment to fund litigation – but you can't, because vaccine damage cases are long, drawn out and costly.'

A Department of Health spokesman said: 'We have already scaled up and modernised the VDPS to allow cases to be processed more quickly, including by digitising the application process and increasing the number of administration staff.'