Studies and papers to support Isle of Man policies.

Summary

The requester asked for studies, papers, and benefit vs harm analyses supporting Isle of Man COVID policies, specifically regarding masks and child vaccinations. The Department of Health and Social Care refused the request stating they do not hold the information, which may be held by Public Health, though they provided external links to JCVI advice and MHRA approvals.

Key Facts

• The Department of Health and Social Care does not hold the requested papers or analyses.
• The information requested may be held by Public Health, which is part of the Cabinet Office.
• The Department follows advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).
• The response included links to JCVI statements and MHRA approvals for Comirnaty in children.
• The requester was advised to re-submit the request to the Cabinet Office.

Data Disclosed

• 2138009
• 2021-12-09
• 2022-01-11
• 10 January 2022
• Section 11(3)a
• under 18
• ages 5 – 11
• 22 December 2021
• 1038278

Exemptions Cited

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

Original Request

Hi, Can you please release all papers and studies which help generate the Isle of Man Covid Policies. Specifically which papers are used to prove the effectiveness of masks and the safety of covid vaccinations for children. Can you also provide and benefit vs harm analysis for all the policies, specifically including the vaccination of children (under 18) and the wearing of masks within a school environment. I've been informed by Lawrie Hooper than these exist. If no papers, studies or analysis's are available can you provide the methodology for generating covid policies on the Island.

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Interim Chief Executive: Karen Malone Freedom of Information Team First Floor Belgravia House Douglas Isle of Man IM1 1AE

Our ref: 2138009 10 January 2022

Dear ###

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

"Hi, Can you please release all papers and studies which help generate the Isle of Man Covid Policies. Specifically which papers are used to prove the effectiveness of masks and the safety of covid vaccinations for children. Can you also provide and benefit vs harm analysis for all the policies, specifically including the vaccination of children (under 18) and the wearing of masks within a school environment. I've been informed by Lawrie Hooper than these exist. If no papers, studies or analysis's are available can you provide the methodology for generating covid policies on the Island."

Our response: 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 Public Health. You may wish to re-submit your request to Cabinet Office, which Public Health forms part of and 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) and their recent statement on COVID-19 vaccination of children and young people is available here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/jcvi-update-on-advice-for-covid-19- vaccination-of-children-and-young-people/jcvi-statement-on-covid-19-vaccination-of- children-and-young-people-22-december-2021

To provide further advice and assistance, the approvals of Comirnaty for use in children and young people, by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is available here:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachm ent_data/file/1038278/Comirnaty_clean_SmPC__002_.pdf and I have also attached a copy of the Paediatric version (ages 5 – 11). Please quote the reference number 2138009 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.