After a two-year review, the UK Information Commissioner’s Office has recently determined that the government is not required to disclose data on COVID-19 vaccine uptake and mortality rates.
The opposition Reform Party in the UK has threatened to launch an investigation into the matter.
Reform Party deputy leader Ben Tees emphasized that he is well aware of public concerns about the issue of excess deaths, which is why he is calling for an investigation. However, the unelected quasi-government body, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), has become embroiled in scandal, covering up the causes of public deaths, a move that is completely unacceptable.
He stated that Health Secretary Wes Streeting must overturn this decision.
Members of Parliament have expressed concern about excess deaths in the UK since 2020 and wrote last year urging the UKHSA and the Department of Health to release data comparing the public’s COVID-19 vaccination dates with their dates of death, suggesting the data be published anonymously in the same manner as provided to pharmaceutical companies.
Meanwhile, the civil group “UsForThem” also submitted a Freedom of Information request seeking disclosure of the data.
Nevertheless, the UKHSA rejected the request on the grounds that it could affect public willingness to receive vaccines.
The UKHSA pointed out that releasing such data might lead to the spread of misinformation, which could negatively impact public willingness to get vaccinated; and if an association between vaccines and deaths was found, it could result in distress or anger for the families of the deceased, as well as pose a risk of personal privacy breaches.