FOI Reference: FOI/2021/3009
You asked
1) Can you please provide by email, the number of people in hospital with influenza & pneumonia by COVID-19 vaccination status from the start of 2021 to present date or up until the date you have.
2) Can you also provide the number of deaths from influenza & pneumonia by COVID-19 vaccination status from the start of 2021 to the present date or up until the latest date you have.
We said
Thank you for your request.
Our mortality data is derived from information collected at the point of death registration. Vaccination status is not recorded on the death certificate and can only be linked to mortality data through complex data linkage with NHS vaccination and test and trace data. Whilst we hold data regarding deaths involving pneumonia and influenza for 2021, we have not undertaken data linkage analysis with COVID-19 vaccination records. Therefore, we do not hold information showing deaths involving influenza and pneumonia by COVID-19 vaccination status. To fulfil this request, we would need use a high level of statistical skill and judgement in order to create a complex linked dataset. Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, Public Authorities are not obligated to create information to respond to requests. We therefore consider this to be information not held.
However, deaths registered in 2021 due to and involving influenza and pneumonia are recorded weekly in the Deaths Registered Weekly in England and Publication, using the Weekly figures by cause tab. The latest data available is 1 October 2021 and this publication is updated every Tuesday.
Unfortunately, we do not hold data on hospitalisations involving influenza and pneumonia by vaccination status. However the UK Health Security Agency publish a weekly surveillance report which looks at the impact on hospitalisations, infection, vaccine effectiveness and mortality.
NHS Digital may also be better placed to answer your query. They can be contacted via email at enquiries@nhsdigital.nhs.uk, and by telephone at 0300 303 5678.
For further information on this data, please feel free to contact Health.Data@ons.gov.uk