COVID-19 immunity and deaths (FOI)

Request

Can you please tell me

A

Why natural immunity following COVID infection is not considered in the current guidance? What research findings were used to result in natural immunity no longer being acknowledged for travel etc. and removed from entry requirements?

B

What are the total number of deaths from COVID only?- what age groups are these and what is the split between vaccinated and not vaccinated?

C

What is the total number of infections in vaccinated v non vaccinated groups?

D

What is the number of adverse reactions reported following vaccination ?

Response

A

Why natural immunity following COVID infection is not considered in the current guidance? What research findings were used to result in natural immunity no longer being acknowledged for travel etc. and removed from entry requirements?

In terms of tests for natural immunity against COVID-19, i.e. by past infection, the Government of Jersey does not test for this specifically or offer any kind of immunity test. 

Current guidance relates to the emergence of Omicron as the dominant variant which has been shown to have a high potential for reinfection.  Previous infection from other variants is no longer as protective against infection from Omicron and therefore anyone with a previous infection could potentially be infected and able to transmit the virus. The only effective immunity against Omicron is advised to be 2 primary doses of a vaccine and a booster dose, rather than a one-off previous infection. The latest UKHSA (UK Health Security Agency) assessment confirms this, as explained in the attached document. This is why 'natural immunity' is not considered in the current guidance.

B

What are the total number of deaths from COVID only?- what age groups are these and what is the split between vaccinated and not vaccinated?

The 'Cause of Death' section on a death registration consists of four sections (1a, 1b, 1c and 2) for conditions which together present a narrative of the person's state of health at the point of their death. This is provided so as to give comprehensive details of the conditions that lead to a person's death.

Only those conditions which caused the death are included. Any condition which a person is suffering with at the time of their death but did not cause the death is not included. For example:

1a The disease or condition that lead to the death (eg Respiratory Failure)

1b Antecedent causes (eg Pneumonia)

1c Morbid conditions giving rise to the above causes (eg COVID-19)

2. Other significant conditions contributing to the death but not related to the disease or condition causing it (eg Diabetes Mellitus, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)

Since the start of the pandemic in March 2020 and to the date of the request, four Covid-19 related deaths which occurred in Jersey were registered with no other causes of death under sections 1b, 1c or 2.

In those four cases, the Cause of Death section was registered as follows:

90+ years

1a. COVID-19 Pneumonia

1b.

1c.

2.

90 + years

1a. COVID-19 Pneumonitis

1b.

1c.

2.

70-79 years

1a. COVID-19 Pneumonitis with Superimposed Bacterial Pneumonia

1b.

1c.

2.

40-49 years

1a. COVID-19 Infection

1b.

1c.

2.

Information on deaths resulting from COVID-19 only based on age group and vaccine status is not available. Vaccine status is not registered on death certificates and the information is therefore not held in recorded form, and Article 3 of the Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law 2011 applies.

C

What is the total number of infections in vaccinated v non vaccinated groups?

A report on COVID-19 cases and vaccine status was published on the 7 January 2022. Article 23 of the Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law 2011 has been applied.

COVID Cases Vaccine Status Report 20220107 (gov.je)

D

What is the number of adverse reactions reported following vaccination?

Information is publicly available on www.gov.je in response to a previous Freedom of Information request. Article 23 of the Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law 2011 has been applied. 

Adverse reactions to COVID-19 vaccinations (FOI)

Articles applied

Article 3 - Meaning of "information held by a public authority"

For the purposes of this Law, information is held by a public authority if –

(a) it is held by the authority, otherwise than on behalf of another person; or

(b) it is held by another person on behalf of the authority.

Article 23 - Information accessible to applicant by other means

Information is absolutely exempt information if it is reasonably available to the applicant, otherwise than under this Law, whether or not free of charge.

A scheduled public authority that refuses an application for information on this ground must make reasonable efforts to inform the applicant where the applicant may obtain the information.