Freedom of Information request on several questions relating to adverse reactions associated with the COVID-19 vaccines (FOI 21/1261)
Published 31 May 2022
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FOI 21/1261
20th December
Dear ,
Thank you for your email dated 25th November 2021, where you asked several questions relating to adverse reactions associated with the COVID-19 vaccines. For clarity we have addressed each of your queries individually below.
1a) The number of confirmed deaths as a result of all COVID-19 vaccines broken down (if possible) by brand of vaccine. If not possible then total number.
The MHRA cannot provide information on the number of deaths confirmed to be related to an adverse event to a COVID-19 vaccination. For information on the number deaths in which an adverse reaction to a COVID-19 vaccine has been mentioned on a death certification please refer to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) monthly mortality analysis which is available here: Monthly mortality analysis, England and Wales - Office for National Statistics)
The MHRA produces a weekly summary of Yellow Card reporting related to the COVID-19 vaccines which is available here Coronavirus COVID-19 vaccines adverse reactions There is a section within this report that provides, for each of the vaccine brands, the number of UK reports of suspected ADRs to a COVID-19 vaccine in which the patient died shortly after vaccination. However, it is important to remember that an ADR report associated with a fatal outcome does not constitute confirmation that the vaccine contributed to the death. We encourage individuals to make a report even if there is only a suspicion that it may be related to the suspect medicine or vaccine in question.
Part of our continuous analysis of the COVID-19 vaccines includes an evaluation of natural death rates over time, to determine if any specific trends or patterns are occurring that might indicate a vaccine safety concern. Based on age-stratified all-cause mortality in England and Wales taken from the Office for National Statistics, several thousand deaths are expected to have occurred, naturally, within 7 days of the many millions of doses of vaccines administered so far, mostly in the elderly. The majority of reports associated with a fatal outcome involved elderly people or people with underlying illness. Usage of the vaccines has increased