FOI Reference: FOI/2022/3509
You asked
I would like all information that relates to post booster (3rd jab) contraindications, deaths, and injuries.
We said
Thank you for your request.
Our data is derived from the death certificate, using information received at the point of death registration. For the vaccine to be mentioned on the death certificate the medical professional certifying the death must have believed, to the best of their knowledge, that the vaccine was part of the events that led to the death. Deaths reported as due to or involving the COVID-19 vaccination are recorded using ICD-10 code U12.9.
We report deaths attributed to adverse reaction to the COVID-19 vaccination monthly within our Monthly Mortality Analysis. The latest data available is December 2021.
There are currently 15 deaths registered in England and Wales with the aligning ICD codes for this, 10 of these deaths have ICD-10 U12.9 as the underlying cause.
However, please note that these are deaths across all age groups since the rollout of the vaccination in December 2020 and there are no deaths registered under the age of 35.
The brand or dosage (1st, 2nd or booster) of the vaccination is not recorded on the death certificate. To fulfil this request, we would need use complex data linkage of mortality data to the National Immunisation Management System (NIMS) and a high level of statistical skill and judgement in order to create a bespoke analysis. Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, Public Authorities are not obligated to create information to respond to requests. We therefore consider brand/dosage of the vaccination derived from the death certificate to be information not held.
Please see below our latest publication, which looks at first and second dose, but does not yet include boosters.
Deaths involving COVID-19 by vaccination status, England - Office for National Statistics
Please note this publication does not include deaths attributed to the COVID-19 vaccination.
We will be publishing 'Deaths by vaccination status' in February, which will include all cause and COVID-19 deaths by vaccination status and will include the booster. As such, this information is exempt under Section 22(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, whereby information is exempt from release if there is a view to publish the information in the future. Furthermore, as a central government department and producer of official statistics, we need to have the freedom to be able to determine our own publication timetables. This is to allow us to deal with the necessary preparation, administration and context of publications. It would be unreasonable to consider disclosure when to do so would undermine our functions.
This exemption is subject to a public interest test. We recognise the desirability of information being freely available and this is considered by ONS when publication schedules are set in accordance with the Code of Practice for Statistics. The need for timely data must be balanced against the practicalities of applying statistical skill and judgement to produce the high quality, assured data needed to inform decision-making. If this balance is incorrectly applied, then we run the risk of decisions being based on inaccurate data which is arguably not in the public interest. This will have an impact on public trust in official statistics in a time when accuracy of official statistics is more important to the public than ever before.
Unfortunately, we do not hold data regarding adverse reactions to the COVID-19 vaccination that do not result in death.
The Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Authority's (MHRA) role is to continually monitor the safety of any medicine or vaccine once they are approved for use. Yellow Card is a website where any member of the public or health professional can report any suspected side effect. This includes deaths, which are reported by others on behalf of the deceased person.
As the information is self-reported, it means that the suspected side effects are not always proven and some of the side effects may have occurred regardless of the vaccine. MHRA are better placed to answer your enquiry, as they are responsible for the Yellow Card Scheme.
They can be contacted using this form.