Coroner's policy and procedures (FOI)

Request

In a JEP article on 10 June, Peter Bradley stated that there had been no “confirmed" deaths from the Covid vaccine, despite 12 deaths, and 839 adverse reactions, being registered on the Yellow card system.

A

Please identify what post-mortem testing procedure is in place to identify whether a death "might" have occurred as a result of vaccination.

B

How does the Jersey coroner ascertain that the novel vaccine played no part in the death?

C

Has the coroner been involved, and conducted Covid vaccine specific testing, in all twelve of the reported deaths?

D

In reference to Peter Bradley's quote - In what way do they ‘thoroughly record’ each fatality?

Response

A

Health and Community Services response to Question A:

In the context of post-mortem examination and vaccine-related deaths, it is essential to review the clinical history as the first step in forming expectations. While the findings during post-mortem examinations may not always align with initial expectations, the clinical history always holds great importance.

The definition of vaccine-related death suggests that this is considered as a potential causative factor when death occurs within 7 days from the date of vaccination.

Health and Community Services (HCS) are not aware of any deaths occurring within this 7-day timeframe that were subject to post-mortem examination since the implementation of the Covid vaccination programme. 

There are no specific tests known to HCS that can distinctly identify if a patient has died from the Covid-19 vaccines. In cases where vaccine-related death is a consideration, HCS would proceed with a post-mortem examination following the established guidelines of the Royal College of Pathologists (RCPath). Pathologists conduct histological examinations on major organs and examine tissue samples under the microscope, adhering to the profession's expected high standards.

According to scientific literature, vaccine-related deaths are primarily attributed to anaphylactic reactions occurring shortly after vaccine administration, thrombotic complications, and possibly myocarditis. These pathologies can typically be identified during a post-mortem examination carried out in accordance with professional guidelines. Any such findings then need to be considered and evaluated alongside the patient’s other existing conditions, co-morbidities and clinical history when determining exactly what has caused or contributed to a death.

B

The Jersey coroner would be guided by the findings of the pathologist and their post-mortem examination and any further or specialist tests or analyses that they undertake. The routine post-mortem process is designed to investigate and discover as far as possible the principal causes of death, not to prove that a particular potential cause played no part in the death.

C

The 12 deaths referred to in the Yellow Card statistics relate to the Channel Islands not to Jersey. The coroner only holds records relating to deaths in Jersey that are reported to the coroner. The identity of the people who contributed those statistics to the Yellow Card system are not known and therefore it is not possible to check if any records are held relating to their deaths.

D

Article 2 of the Inquests and Post-Mortem Examinations (Jersey) Law 1995 provides a range of circumstances where deaths must be notified to the States of Jersey Police and thereafter to the Viscount for investigation. Article 2(1) states:

(1)     Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), any person who has reason to believe that a deceased person died –

(a)     as a result of violence or misadventure;

(b)     as a result of negligence or misconduct or malpractice on the part of others;

(c)     from any cause other than natural illness or disease for which the deceased person had been seen and treated by a registered medical practitioner; or

(d)     under such circumstances as may require investigation,

shall immediately notify a police officer of the facts and circumstances relating to the death, and the police officer shall, as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter, notify the Viscount of such facts and circumstances.

Inquests and Post-Mortem Examinations (Jersey) Law 1995 (jerseylaw.je)