Freedom of Information request on the laboratories used in the testing of all authorised vaccines (FOI 21/887)
Published 20 January 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-23-august-2021/freedom-of-information-request-on-the-laboratories-used-in-the-testing-of-all-authorised-vaccines-foi-21887
27th August 2021
FOI 21/887
Dear
Thank you for your email.
All laboratories used in the testing of all authorised vaccines have to provide certificates to show that they work in compliance with Good Manufacturing Practice for quality testing, and have to provide proof of a recent inspection by a mutually recognised medicines authority.
Regarding your questions 2-5, unfortunately, the information is exempt from release. The duty in Section 1(1)(a) of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2000 does not apply, by virtue of Section 41 (Information provided in confidence) and Section 43 (Commercial interests) of that Act. This should not be taken as an indication that the information you requested is or is not held by the department.
Section 41 is an absolute exemption and no consideration of the public interest is required, except to state that we consider its disclosure to constitute an actionable breach of confidence.
Section 43 is a qualified exemption and a consideration of the public interest should be made. We have considered the public interest and cannot see any public interest argument that outweighs the commercial harm. Examples of public interest arguments would be a major public health risk or a major procedural failure or irregularity.
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