Freedom of Information request on the COVID-19 vaccines and components of animal origin (FOI 21/1127)
Published 27 April 2022
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22nd October 2021
FOI 21/1127
Dear
Regarding your questions:
The MHRA can confirm that the AstraZeneca, Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 Vaccines do not contain any components of animal origin.
Some vaccines are made by growing cultures of the target virus (including modified viruses such as found in the AstraZeneca vaccine) in cells and so some vaccines can be grown in cell-lines derived from mammals, including humans. Such cell lines used to grow the virus are derived from a primary culture of cells from an organ of a single animal which has then been propagated repeatedly in the laboratory, often over many decades. The best-known human cell line is MRC5. These cells derive from a pregnancy that was terminated for medical reasons in 1966. This cell-line is used to grow viruses for vaccines against rubella, chickenpox and hepatitis A. Other foetal cell lines have been used for other vaccines, including influenza vaccine and some of the new COVID-19 vaccines. The HEK293 cell line which is used in the manufacture of the AstraZeneca vaccine was derived in Holland from a single aborted foetus in the early 1970s.
However please be assured no foetal material is present in the final vaccine; it is all removed during the manufacturing process.
Further information regarding the composition of the vaccines can be found in the Public Assessment Reports:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/regulatory-approval-of-covid-19-vaccine-astrazeneca
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/regulatory-approval-of-covid-19-vaccine-moderna
Information regarding nanotechnology can also be found in the above linked Public Assessment Reports.
In reference to your third question, the Freedom of Information Act places a general duty on public authorities to give access to official information. However, the Act also provides an exemption to that duty for requests that are repeated as such we are refusing your third request under Section 14(2).
I am also aware you requested information via a phone call today regarding Pfizer tracking people through their vaccine, I can confirm the MHRA hold no information on this.
If you disagree with how we have interpreted the Freedom of Information Act 2000 in answering your request, you can ask for an internal review. Please reply to this email, within two months of this reply, specifying that you would like an Internal Review to be carried out.
Due to the ongoing Covid-19 situation, we are not able to accept delivery of any documents or correspondence by post or courier to any of our offices
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
Yours sincerely
MHRA Customer Service Centre
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency