Request

You asked us:

‘I would like to request any information you might have please regarding cardiac and neurological conditions correlated to the administration of the Pfizer vaccine. Mainly I would like to be made aware of any specific diagnosis or treatments that have been uncovered, or any research that is being done by the NHS in the subject?’

The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) received your request on 12 April 2025.

We have handled your request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA).

Our response

I can confirm that the NHSBSA holds some of the information you have requested. Attached is a copy of the summaries of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s (MHRA) regulatory position for the following conditions reported following COVID-19 vaccines which fall within scope of your request. These were provided by MHRA to the NHSBSA:

• Acute Disseminated Encephalo-Myelitis, provided to the NHSBSA in August 2024.
• Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy, provided to the NHSBSA in April 2024. A review of the position was provided by MHRA in August 2024, they confirmed no change to their regulatory position.
• De-myelinating conditions including Guillain-Barre Syndrome, provided in December 2022. A review was provided to the NHSBSA in August 2024, they confirmed no change to their regulatory position.
• Thromboembolic events provided to the NHSBSA in February 2023. A review was provided in August 2024 which confirmed there was no change to their regulatory position.
• A combined summary relating to Bell’s Palsy, Brachial neuritis, Transverse Myelitis, Optic neuropathy and Functional neurological disorders provided to the NHSBSA in September 2022. A review provided in August 2024 confirmed there was no change to their regulatory position.

Each claim is assessed on a case-by-basis by a medical assessor. All medical assessors are General Medical Council (GMC) registered doctors with a license to practise and at least five years' experience.

The medical assessors will consider clinical research, epidemiological evidence, and the current consensus of expert medical opinion together with a claimant’s application and their medical records from their healthcare providers to make a clinical assessment on whether the claim meets the criteria for a Vaccine Damage Payment. Medical assessors use resources to support their assessment.

These resources are available at:

https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/vaccine-damage-payment-scheme-vdps-claim-process

Further resources can be found at:

UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) - UK Health Security Agency - GOV.UK Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - Home - electronic medicines compendium (emc)

The medical assessor will advise if the applicant is entitled to a Vaccine Damage Payment, based on the government’s rules for the scheme.

Advice and assistance

It is possible that Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) hold some or all of the information you require. They can be contacted at:

MHRA Freedom of Information Team 10 South Colonnade London E14 4PU Web: https://foi-request.mhra.gov.uk/start-now Email: info@mhra.gov.uk

Data Queries

Please contact foirequests@nhsbsa.nhs.uk ensuring you quote the above reference if you have any specific questions regarding this response; or, if you feel you may be misunderstanding or misinterpreting the information; or, if you plan on publishing the data.

Reusing the data and copyright

If you plan on producing a press or broadcast story based upon the data please contact communicationsteam@nhsbsa.nhs.uk. This is important to ensure that the figures are not misunderstood or misrepresented.

The information supplied to you continues to be protected by the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 and is subject to NHSBSA copyright. This information is licenced under the terms of the Open Government Licence detailed at: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

Should you wish to re-use the information you must include the following statement: “Dental Services, NHSBSA Copyright 2025” This information is licenced under the terms of the Open Government Licence:

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

Failure to do so is a breach of the terms of the licence.

Information you receive which is not subject to NHSBSA Copyright continues to be protected by the copyright of the person, or organisation, from which the information originated. Please obtain their permission before reproducing any third party (non NHSBSA Copyright) information.