Freedom of Information request on the BMI index, body weight and height and ages of people who are reported to have died after experiencing blood clotting after COVID-19 vaccination (FOI 21-387)
Published 28 June 2021
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7th May 2021 FOI 21/387 Dear
Thank you for contacting the MHRA regarding the reports we have received concerning a specific type of blood clot in the brain, known as cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) and other blood clotting cases (thromboembolic events) occurring together with low levels of platelets (thrombocytopenia). Under the Freedom of Information (FOI) act, you have requested to be provided with the following:
The BMI index, body weight and height and ages of the 51 women and 28 men who are said to have died of blood clotting following the administration of the Astra Zeneca/Oxford vaccine.
The MHRA publishes a weekly summary of Yellow Card reporting which can be found on this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-vaccine-adverse-reactions/coronavirus-vaccine-summary-of-yellow-card-reporting. In this publication, you will find the specific information you have requested surrounding these case reports, including a breakdown of the age and sex of these patients. Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2000 data is releasable as category 1b, patient identifiers such as weight and height does not fall within this category. Additionally, the MHRA is committed to maintaining patient and reporter confidentiality and therefore are unable to provide a breakdown of the BMI index, body weight and height of the patients within these cases. It is important to note that Yellow Card reports are not proof of a side effect occurring due to a vaccine but a suspicion by the reporter that the medicine or vaccine may have caused the side effect. Some events may have happened anyway, regardless of vaccination. This is particularly the case when millions of people are vaccinated. Dr June Raine, MHRA Chief Executive said: “Over 44 million doses of vaccines against COVID-19 have now been administered in the UK, saving thousands of lives through the biggest vaccination programme that has ever taken place in this country. “No effective medicine or vaccine is without risk. These specific kinds of blood clots with low platelets reported following COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca remain extremely rare and unlikely to occur. The benefits of the vaccine continue to outweigh the risks for most people. “It is still vitally important that people come forward for their vaccination when invited to do so. “We ask anyone who suspects they have experienced a side effect linked with their COVID-19 vaccine to report it to the Coronavirus Yellow Card website.” I hope the information provided is helpful, but 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 of this response; and can be addressed to this email address. Yours sincerely, FOI Team, Vigilance and Risk Management of Medicines Division