Freedom of Information request on adverse clotting events post COVID-19 vaccine AstraZeneca (FOI 21-511)
Published 13 August 2021
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11th June 2021 FOI 21/511
Dear
Thank you for your Freedom of Information (FOI) request regarding adverse clotting events post COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca.
Under the Freedom of Information (FOI) act, you have requested to be provided with the following:
What is the total number of second doses of AstraZeneca covid19 vaccine administered in the UK (as of the most recent possible data)?
How many people have died from suspected blood clots following their second dose of the AstraZeneca covid19 vaccine in the UK (as of the most recent possible data)?
What is the age distribution of those administered second doses in the UK?
What is the age distribution of those who have died from suspected blood clots following second dose administration?
As you may be aware, the MHRA publish a weekly COVID-19 ADR summary alongside analysis prints for each vaccine, these can be found here. It currently pertains to data received up to 26 May 2021. This contains details regarding specific reports including thrombo-embolic events with concurrent low platelets.
The estimated number of first doses of COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca administered in the UK by 26 May was 24.3 million and the estimated number of second doses was 13.4 million.
Regarding your remaining questions, we can confirm that we do hold this information however as we intend to publish the data we consider that your request is covered by Section 22 of the Freedom of Information Act (information intended for future publication) and the information you have asked for is therefore exempt from disclosure.
Section 22 is a qualified exemption which means we have considered whether there is a greater public interest in releasing the information requested or withholding it. We recognise there is strong interest in seeing this data and accept it should not be withheld.
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