Pregnant women

Summary

A request was made for scientific studies on COVID-19 vaccines for pregnant women and specific statistics on hospitalizations and premature births among pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 in the Isle of Man. The Department of Health and Social Care stated it does not hold the requested statistical data or specific studies, citing a practical refusal, though it provided general vaccination guidance from the JCVI.

Key Facts

• The Department of Health and Social Care does not hold the specific scientific studies or statistical data requested regarding pregnant women and SARS-CoV-2.
• The authority follows advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) regarding COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy.
• The JCVI advises that pregnant women should be offered COVID-19 vaccines at the same time as people of the same age or risk group.
• The response suggests the requester may wish to submit a new request to the Cabinet Office, as Isle of Man Public Health may hold some of the information.
• The request covered the period from 26th March 2020 to 20th September 2021.

Data Disclosed

• 26th March 2020
• 20th September 2021
• 90,000 pregnant women
• 29 July 2021

Exemptions Cited

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

Original Request

Hi, I would like to ask the following. 1. Can I have the proven scientific studies that the vaccine is the best chance against SarsCov2 for pregnant women? 2. From 26th March 2020 to 20th September 2021. How many pregnant women who tested positive of SarsCov2. have been in intensive care, solely by SarsCov2. Without any underlying health conditions? 3. From March 26th to 20 th September 2021. How many pregnant women who tested positive for SarsCov2. have had premature pregnancies solely by SarsCov2. Without underlying health conditions? 4. From 26th March 2020 to 20th September 2021. How many pregnant women with underlying health conditions were in hospital. 5. From 26th March to 20th September 2021. How many healthy pregnant women who tested positive for SarsCov2. Become seriously ill and needed hospital treatment in the later stages of pregnancy. Solely by SarsCov2? Further clarification received: 26th March 2020 to 20th September 2021    6. Do you have proven scientific studies that SarsCov2. Causes healthy pregnant women to become seriously unwell. In the later stages of pregnancy?

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: 2012194 5 October 2021

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received 28 September 2021 and which states:

"Hi, I would like to ask the following. 1. Can I have the proven scientific studies that the vaccine is the best chance against SarsCov2 for pregnant women? 2. From 26th March 2020 to 20th September 2021. How many pregnant women who tested positive of SarsCov2. have been in intensive care, solely by SarsCov2. Without any underlying health conditions? 3. From March 26th to 20 th September 2021. How many pregnant women who tested positive for SarsCov2. have had premature pregnancies solely by SarsCov2. Without underlying health conditions? 4. From 26th March 2020 to 20th September 2021. How many pregnant women with underlying health conditions were in hospital. 5. From 26th March to 20th September 2021. How many healthy pregnant women who tested positive for SarsCov2. Become seriously ill and needed hospital treatment in the later stages of pregnancy. Solely by SarsCov2? Further clarification received: 26th March 2020 to 20th September 2021
6. Do you have proven scientific studies that SarsCov2. Causes healthy pregnant women to become seriously unwell. In the later stages of pregnancy?"

Our response: 1. Can I have the proven scientific studies that the vaccine is the best chance against SarsCov2 for pregnant women? 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. The information you have requested maybe held by Isle of Man Public Health, therefore you may wish to re-submit your request to the Cabinet Office, of which Isle of Man Public Health forms part of, which is an option available on the Freedom of Information request portal, who may be able to help you. To provide advice and assistance, the Department, follows advice issued by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) who have advised: COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has advised that pregnant women should be offered COVID-19 vaccines at the same time as people of the same age or risk group. In the USA, around 90,000 pregnant women have been vaccinated mainly with Pfizer and Moderna vaccines and no safety concerns have been identified. Evidence on COVID-19 vaccines is being continuously reviewed by the World Health Organization and the regulatory bodies in the UK, USA, Canada and Europe. Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are the preferred vaccines for pregnant women of any age who are coming for their first dose. Anyone who has already started vaccination and is offered a second dose whilst pregnant, should have a second dose with the same vaccine unless they had a serious side effect after the first dose. Further guidance is available within the public domain at: Public Health England (updated 29 July 2021) - COVID-19 vaccination: a guide for all women of childbearing age, pregnant or breastfeeding https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-vaccination-women-of- childbearing-age-currently-pregnant-planning-a-pregnancy-or-breastfeeding/covid-19- vaccination-a-guide-for-women-of-childbearing-age-pregnant-planning-a-pregnancy-or- breastfeeding In addition, further advice on vaccination information is available within the public domain, which you may find useful, at: Isle of Man Government – Coronavirus COVID-19 Vaccination Information https://covid19.gov.im/vaccination-information/ In addition, you may wish to submit a

1. From 26th March 2020 to 20th September 2021. How many pregnant women who tested positive of SarsCov2. have been in intensive care, solely by SarsCov2. Without any underlying health conditions?
2. From March 26th to 20th September 2021. How many pregnant women who tested positive for SarsCov2. have had premature pregnancies solely by SarsCov2. Without underlying health conditions?
3. From 26th March 2020 to 20th September 2021. How many pregnant women with underlying health conditions were in hospital.
4. From 26th March to 20th September 2021. How many healthy pregnant women who tested positive for SarsCov2. Become seriously ill and needed hospital treatment in the later stages of pregnancy. Solely by SarsCov2? Further clarification received: 26th March 2020 to 20th September 2021
   Our answer to Question 2 to Question 5 inclusive 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 as it may be held by Manx Care. You may wish to re-submit your request to Manx Care which is an option available on the Freedom of Information request portal, who may be able to help you. To provide advice and assistance, the Department of Health and Social Care redesigned on 1 April 2021 as a direct result of Sir Jonathan Michael's Independent Review of the Isle of Manx Health and Care System. This Review continues to be a catalyst for change and improved service provision. The redesigned Department ensures the separation between the setting of policy and strategy and the delivery of care services by Manx Care.
5. Do you have proven scientific studies that SarsCov2. Causes healthy pregnant women to become seriously unwell. In the later stages of pregnancy?" 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. The information you have requested maybe held by Isle of Man Public Health, therefore you may wish to re-submit your request to the Cabinet Office, of which Isle of Man Public Health forms part of, which is an option available on the Freedom of Information request portal, who may be able to help you.

To provide advice and assistance, the following is available within the public domain: Characteristics and outcomes of pregnant women admitted to hospital with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection in UK: national population based cohort study https://www.bmj.com/content/bmj/369/bmj.m2107.full.pdf The document references a study, which you may find useful, ”Knight Marian, Bunch Kathryn, Vousden Nicola, Morris Edward, Simpson Nigel, Gale Chris and others. Characteristics and outcomes of pregnant women admitted to hospital with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection in UK: national population based cohort study BMJ 2020; 369 :m2107” Please quote the reference number 2012194 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.