FOI ref: FOI/2022/4687
You asked
Could the ONS please supply the cases, hospitalisations, and death rates due to heart problems and cancer broken down by age and vaccination status ?
We said
Thank you for your enquiry.
Deaths by specific cause by vaccination status
We are currently working on putting together analysis looking at vaccine safety in cardiac and cancer patients, using the information requested. This work is ongoing and we require the time and space to appropriately analyse and contextualise this data to ensure that we produce statistics that are high quality, valuable, and trustworthy, which in turn ensures that we continue to serve the public good. If we were to release this information prior to the completion of this process, we run the risk of producing misleading statistics that would obfuscate, rather than enhance public understanding. Therefore, the release of the requested data at this time would prejudice the purpose of this project and would undermine our reputation as a producer of reliable official statistics that serve the public.
As a result, Sections 22A (b)(i) and (b)(iii) are engaged, whereby the information requested was obtained in the course of conducting an ongoing programme of research, which we have a view to publish, and release prior to our planned schedule would prejudice the research programme itself and the organisation conducting the research.
This exemption is subject to a public interest test. We recognise the desirability of information being freely available and this is considered by ONS when publication schedules are set in accordance with the Code of Practice for Statistics. The need for timely data must be balanced against the practicalities of applying statistical skill and judgement to produce the high quality, assured data needed to inform decision-making, which requires time and space. If this balance is incorrectly applied, then we run the risk of decisions being based on inaccurate data, which is not in the public interest. This will have an impact on public trust in official statistics in a time when the accuracy of official statistics is more important to the public than ever before. This is particularly important given the public health implications of data surrounding the COVID-19 vaccines. Once publication dates are finalised, they will be announced on our Release Calendar.
Diagnosis and incidence of heart disease and cancer after vaccination
Unfortunately, we do not hold data relating to diagnosis of cancer or heart disease.
NHS Digital may be best placed to help you with the information you require. They can be contacted via email at enquiries@nhsdigital.nhs.uk, and by telephone at +44 (0)300 303 5678.
Hospitalisations
We do not hold the information on hospitalisations that you request. Our data on hospital episodes is obtained from the Hospital Episode Statistics published by NHS Digital with an approximately 3 month delay. Therefore, we use this data to determine pre-existing conditions and general health of individuals, but not to analyse recent hospitalisations due to COVID-19.
NHS Digital may be best placed to help you with the information you require. They can be contacted via email at enquiries@nhsdigital.nhs.uk, and by telephone at +44 (0)300 303 5678.