The number of recorded miscarriages in Lanarkshire did not double in 2022

Context

Since April 2023, screenshots taken from a response to a freedom of information (FOI) request have been widely shared on social media. The response was provided by the Lanarkshire NHS Board in Scotland and concerns data related to the number of births, maternal deaths, miscarriages, and other incidents recorded in the county between 2018 and 2022. 

This document has attracted significant attention largely due to its figures relating to the number of miscarriages recorded in Lanarkshire. The document appears to show that this number remained relatively stable from 2018 until 2022, when it seemingly jumped to 2,065 from 1,083 the year before. 

Since this response was issued, some have speculated that the seemingly sharp increase in the number of miscarriages recorded between 2021 and 2022 could be due to COVID-19 vaccines. In truth, however, this number actually decreased during the time period in question

In Fact  

The FOI response that includes the figures in question is publicly available and does contain the figures being cited by critics of the vaccine rollout. However, an updated response sent by the Lanarkshire NHS Board makes it clear that the numbers they provided initially are inaccurate. 

On April 25, four days after it provided its initial response, the NHS Board wrote to the individual that sent the request, stating, “We have been made aware of an error in the calculation of the figures in relation to the number of miscarriages in the year 2022. Please find enclosed an updated response.” In an attached document, the organization clarified that the actual number of recorded miscarriages in 2022 was 982. This is less than the 1,083 recorded in 2021. 

To date, no evidence has come to light that supports claims that COVID-19 vaccines significantly increase risks to pregnant women or their children. On its website, the NHS states, “Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 reduces the risk of having a stillbirth. There's no evidence COVID-19 vaccination increases the risk of having a miscarriage, pre-term birth or other complications in your pregnancy.”

The Verdict 

While the Lanarkshire NHS Board initially provided the data that critics of COVID-19 vaccines have cited, they are inaccurate. The organization later clarified that they were arrived at through an “error in the calculation of the figures” and provided updated information. This shows that the number of miscarriages recorded in Lanarkshire slightly decreased between 2021 and 2022. This claim has therefore been marked as false.