Freedom of Information request on the post-mortem reports following the COVID-19 vaccines (FOI 21/948)
Published 17 January 2022
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16th September 2021
FOI 21/948
Dear
Thank you for your FOI request dated 18th August 2021. Whilst we collect copies of post-mortem reports and use them in our analysis we do not hold this complete data. Therefore we would advise you to contact the Office for National Statistics Contact us - Office for National Statistics (ons.gov.uk).
The MHRA takes all reports of fatal events in patients who have received a COVID-19 vaccine very seriously and every report with a fatal outcome is fully evaluated and kept under continual review. We follow-up reports with a fatal outcome, where permission has been provided to do so, for further information, including post-mortem details if available. All details within a report are thoroughly assessed to consider whether the vaccine may have caused the event, or whether the event and fatal outcome were likely to be purely coincidental and due to underlying illness. The information is thoroughly analysed for patterns or evidence which might suggest a causal link between the vaccination and the death alongside data available from international sources. This is further considered by the Commission on Human Medicine and its Expert Advisory Groups.
If you are dissatisfied with the handling of your request, you have the right to ask for an internal review. Internal review requests should be submitted within two months of the date you receive this response and addressed to: info@mhra.gov.uk
Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications.
If you were to remain dissatisfied with the outcome of the internal review, you would have the right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision. Please bear in mind that the Information Commissioner will not normally review our handling of your request unless you have first contacted us to conduct an internal review. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at:
Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Kind regards,
FOI Team
Vigilance and Risk Management of Medicines Division