Work

The unheard ‘scandal’: Covid‐19 vaccine‐injured people's perceptions of the national redress scheme and trust in the government in the United Kingdom

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This article examines 218 Covid‐19 vaccine‐injured people's experiences of the process of seeking redress from the UK Government's Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme (VDPS). Moreover, it engages with the wider topic of how we can understand the government(s)’ role in dealing with an ‘emergency’ (the Covid‐19 pandemic) and the consequent (global) health crisis. Vaccine‐injured individuals and communities perceive suffering health problems after Covid‐19 vaccination as a ‘tragedy’, which requires an adequate response. However, the VDPS often does not meet their expectations, which fuels the vaccine‐injured community's narratives around an emerging ‘scandal’ over inadequate redress provision for those who suffered adverse effects following Covid‐19 vaccines. These perceptions and meaning‐making are in stark contrast to the fact that the wider population is unaffected by these issues and are generally not aware of the harms suffered or of the VDPS.

Source: Journal of Law and Society

DOI: 10.1111/jols.70047

Authors: FANNI GYURKO, SONIA MACLEOD

Institution: University of Oxford

Language: English

Topic: Legal, Health, Environmental and COVID-19 Challenges

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Peace, justice, and strong institutions, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,170