Freedom of Information request (FOI 22/934)
Published 17 January 2024
© Crown copyright 2024
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/freedom-of-information-responses-from-the-mhra-week-commencing-26-september-2022/freedom-of-information-request-foi-22934
FOI 22/934
26th September 2022
Dear
Thank you for your email.
A full list of ingredients for each of the vaccines is available in the SmPCs that are published by MHRA on our website (https://products.mhra.gov.uk/). Before a product is authorised for use in the UK, testing from suitably qualified and inspected laboratories is provided to show that it complies with specific release and shelf-life specifications that prove it is of a high enough standard to be used in patients.
All batches of licenced Covid vaccines that have been used in the UK vaccination programme have been independently tested under Statutory Rules for testing.
The testing carried out for different vaccines is based on the EU Guidelines for Official Control Authority Batch Release (OCABR) for Human Biologicals: Vaccines, blood and plasma derivatives which can be found on the European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines and Healthcare (EDQM) website. Human OCABR Guidelines - European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare (edqm.eu). Within this link the requirements for testing of influenza vaccines is outlined.
Covid vaccines are tested according to the OCABR activities related to COVID-19 vaccines - European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare (edqm.eu).
If you have a query about the information provided, please reply to this email.
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.
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 Experience Centre