Informed Consent

Summary

A request for the full nucleotide base sequences of approved COVID vaccines and data on spike protein biodistribution, half-life, and toxicity was made to the Isle of Man Department of Health and Social Care. The authority responded that the information is not held, citing a practical refusal reason under Section 11(3)a of the Freedom of Information Act 2015.

Key Facts

• The Department of Health and Social Care does not hold the requested nucleotide sequences or spike protein toxicity data.
• The refusal was based on Section 11(3)a of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 as a practical reason.
• The Isle of Man administers three authorized vaccines: Pfizer/BioNTech (Comirnaty), Astra Zeneca/Oxford (Vaxzevria), and Moderna.
• All vaccines used have been approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
• The request was received on 2021-08-09 and closed on 2021-08-23.

Data Disclosed

• 1941381
• 2021-08-09
• 2021-08-23
• Section 11(3)a
• 2015

Exemptions Cited

• Section 11(3)a of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Information not held)

Original Request

Please provide me with the: 1 Full nucleotide base sequence for all of the COVID vaccines approved by the IOM Government or Dept of Health? 2 Biodistribution, half-life and known toxicity of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein produced cellularly after COVID vaccination?

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Chief Executive: Kathryn Magson Freedom of Information Team Crookall House Demesne Road Douglas Isle of Man IM1 3QA

Our ref: 1941381 23 August 2021

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received 9 August 2021 and which states:

"Please provide me with the: 1 Full nucleotide base sequence for all of the COVID vaccines approved by the IOM Government or Dept of Health? 2 Biodistribution, half-life and known toxicity of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein produced cellularly after COVID vaccination?"

Our response to your request:

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Department of Health and Social Care ('the Department') is unable to provide the information that you have requested. This is in line with Section 11(3)a of the Act, as a practical refusal reason applies; namely we do not hold or cannot, after taking reasonable steps to do so, find the information that you have requested. To provide advice and assistance, in relation to the vaccines used in the Isle of man, the programme delivery teams are currently administering all the authorised vaccines (Pfizer/BioNTech (Comirnaty), Astra Zeneca/Oxford (Vaxezveria) and Moderna). All three vaccines have been approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, MHRA. They have passed the MHRA’s tests on safety and efficacy, so people should be assured that whatever vaccine they get will be highly effective and protect them from Coronavirus. Further information is available at: Frequently asked questions about the vaccine [Isle of Man Government] https://covid19.gov.im/vaccination/frequently-asked-questions-about-the-vaccine/

Please quote the reference number 1941381 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi

I will now close your request as of this date.