In this presentation, we explore the recent First-tier Tribunal decision in Dr. Clare Craig’s appeal against the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). The ruling allows UKHSA to continue withholding anonymized data on COVID-19 vaccine-related deaths, including details like age bands, vaccination dates, and adjusted death dates—information already shared with pharmaceutical companies but denied to the public under Freedom of Information Act exemptions.
We’ll break down the key reasons cited by the judge: potential risks of re-identification causing distress to bereaved families (under Section 38) and excessive costs for further anonymization (under Sections 12/14). Drawing on comparisons to successful data releases in countries like the Czech Republic, we’ll discuss the implications for public health accountability, ongoing debates about vaccine safety data, and the balance between privacy protections and transparency.
Whether you’re following post-pandemic policy, interested in FOIA processes, or concerned about data access in healthcare, this session provides a factual overview and analysis of the case and its broader context.
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