UK Health Security Agency

The complainant has requested information on the contract signed by the government with Pfizer to supply COVID-19 vaccinations. UKHSA provided redacted copies of contracts between the two parties and relied on FOIA sections 43(2) – Commercial interests, and section 40(2) – Personal information, to withhold the redacted information. The Commissioner’s decision is that UKHSA correctly applied section 43(2) and the public interest favours maintaining the exemption. However, he finds that section 40(2) is partially upheld. The Commissioner requires UKHSA to take the following steps to ensure compliance with the legislation. Disclose the redacted names set out in the confidential annex.
The public authority must take these steps within 35 calendar days of the date of this decision notice. Failure to comply may result in the Commissioner making written certification of this fact to the High Court pursuant to section 54 of the Act and may be dealt with as a contempt of court.