Freedom of Information request on the comparative data between the influenza and COVID-19 vaccination programme (FOI 21/994)
Published 27 April 2022
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/freedom-of-information-responses-from-the-mhra-week-commencing-18-october-2021/freedom-of-information-request-on-the-comparative-data-between-the-influenza-and-covid-19-vaccination-programme-foi-21994
18th October 2021
FOI 21/994
Dear,
We apologise for the delay in replying to your request for comparative data between the influenza and covid vaccination programmes. We have not performed such a comparative analysis nor do we hold the data to enable you to do this yourself (the denominator data to carry out such an analysis is not held by us, it is held by the UK Health Security Agency). In any case we would not conduct such an analysis as it is not possible to compare the safety of different medicines by comparing the numbers of suspected adverse reactions reported. Spontaneous reporting rates can be influenced by many factors including the age of the product, public interest and the extent of use of a particular product. Reporting can also be stimulated by promotion and publicity about a product or its use. However, although ADR data cannot be used in the way suggested, the MHRA has carefully assessed the use of vaccines in pregnancy; information on the findings of our assessment can be found in our weekly report. You can find further information on our website about our COVID-19 vaccine safety surveillance.
There is no evidence that spike proteins accumulate in the reproductive organs post vaccination.
Kind regards,
MHRA Customer Service Centre
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf, London E14 4PU