FOI release

FOI 21/149 - Freedom of Information request - Vaccine efficacy and benefit

Published 24 March 2021

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/freedom-of-information-responses-from-the-mhra-week-commencing-22-february-2021/foi-21149-freedom-of-information-request-vaccine-efficacy-and-benefit

Thank you for your email.

The information you have requested is in the public domain already, please see the below examples we are providing to be of assistance:

  1. There are many examples of viral infections that have become less prevalent or become virtually extinct, such as smallpox. The World Health Organisation (WHO) should have a lot of information showing the reduction of cases of smallpox occurring in countries with successive rollouts of vaccinations. A link to the WHO publications is provided below: https://www.who.int/csr/resources/publications/viral/en/

  2. Please see the links above, a reduction in prevalence is an effect of reduced transmission.

  3. There are plenty of data on the transmission of viruses and these are available to review in the public domain. With regards to the current Covid-19 epidemic, we confirm there is information published by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) and Public Health England (PHE) on the evidence to support the governments decisions. This information includes the isolation of the virus and data on its transmission.

A link to the SAGE website is provided below: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/scientific-advisory-group-for-emergencies

A link to the PHE website is provided below: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/public-health-england

If you have a query about the information provided, please reply to this email.

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

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 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf, London E14 4PU Telephone 0203 080 6000

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