Briefing
Ministerial Direction: Eligibility for publicly funded COVID-19
Immunisation
Date due to MO: 11 February 2021
Action required by:
15 February 2021
Security level:
IN CONFIDENCE
Health Report number: 20210174
To:
Hon Andrew Little, Minister of Health
Copy to:
Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall, Associate Minister of Health
Hon Chris Hipkins, Minister of COVID-19 Response
Contact for telephone discussion
Name
Position
Telephone
Dr Ashley Bloomfield
Director-General of Health
S9(2)(a)
Maree Roberts
Deputy Director-General, System Strategy and
Policy
Minister’s office to complete:
under the Official Information Act 1982
☐ Approved
☐ Decline
☐ Noted
☐ Needs change
☐ Seen
☐ Overtaken by events
☐ See Minister’s Notes
☐ Withdrawn
Released
Comment:
Briefing: 20210174
Ministerial Direction: Eligibility for publicly funded COVID-19
Immunisation
Security level:
IN CONFIDENCE
Date:
11 February 2021
To:
Hon Andrew Little, Minister of Health
Copy to:
Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall, Associate Minister of Health
Hon Chris Hipkins, Minister of COVID-19 Response
Purpose of report
1.
This report seeks your approval of the attached Ministerial Direction, which would
enable everyone in New Zealand, regardless of immigration status, to be eligible for
publicly funded COVID-19 immunisation.
Recommendations
We recommend you:
1
Note that as directed, we have consulted with the District Health Boards (DHBs)
on the draft Ministerial Direction to make everyone in New Zealand eligible for
COVID-19 immunisation
2
Note that we did not receive a significant amount of feedback from DHBs, but
responses were supportive
3
Note that the statutory prerequisites for making the Ministerial Direction have
been met
4
Approve and sign the attached
COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Direction 2021,
Yes/No
which could commence from 15 February 2021 at the earliest
5
Agree that your office arranges to present a copy of the direction to the House
Yes/No
of Representatives.
under the Official Information Act 1982
Dr Ashley Bloomfield
Hon Andrew Little
Released
Director-General
Minister of Health
Ministry of Health
Date:
Date:
Briefing: 20210174
Ministerial Direction: Eligibility for publicly
funded COVID-19 Immunisation
Cabinet has agreed in principle to expand eligibility for COVID-19
immunisation to everyone in New Zealand
2.
You previously agreed in principle to expanding eligibility for COVID-19 immunisation to
everyone in New Zealand, regardless of immigration status [HR20202320 refers]. Cabinet
subsequently also agreed in principle to this proposal. This would, in effect, expand
coverage to include most:
a. people on student visas
b. people on visitor visas
c. adults on temporary work visas or who are Australian citizens that wil be in New
Zealand for less than two years
d. people who are in New Zealand unlawfully.
3.
The latest estimates from January 2021 suggest this could include up to approximately
270,000 people.
4.
To enable this policy, we proposed that you pursue a standalone direction on COVID-19
Immunisation Eligibility under section 32 of the New Zealand Public Health and Disability
Act 2000 and section 103 of the Crown Entities Act 2004. You previously agreed that we
could begin consultation with DHBs on this [HR20202330 refers].
As directed, we have consulted with DHBs on the proposed changes, and…
5.
As directed, we provided the District Health Board (DHB) Chairs, Chief Executives, and
General Managers of Planning and Funding with the draft Ministerial Direction for their
comment. We noted in our letter to them, that the cost for the immunisation events
would be met by the Ministry of Health as part of an agreed structure for various funded
immunisation service models.
6.
Within the time given, we received responses from Auckland DHB and Lakes DHB, who
under the Official Information Act 1982
both noted their support of the proposal.
7.
In addition, there are DHB representatives on the COVID-19 Immunisation Programme
Steering Group, who were earlier consulted on the development of the proposal.
We recommend that you issue the attached Ministerial Direction
8.
We have
attached for your approval the proposed Ministerial Direction,
COVID-19
Vaccine Eligib
Released
ility Direction 2021, which would expand access to COVID-19 vaccination to
everyone in New Zealand. Subject to your agreement, it can come into force from 15
February 2021 at the earliest.
9.
The Direction is made in accordance with section 32 of the New Zealand Public Health
and Disability Act and section 103 of the Crown Entities Act 2004. The statutory
prerequisites for making the Direction have been met:
Briefing: 20210174
2
a. the Direction specifies persons who are eligible to receive services funded under the
New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act in relation to COVID-19 vaccination
b. the DHBs have been consulted on the Direction
c. it does not direct DHBs in relation to any statutorily independent function.
10.
We have included a clause that the Direction would expire on 31 December 2021, which
is when current funding for the COVID-19 Immunisation Programme ends. We will
review the eligibility policy later this year and provide advice to you in due course on
whether to extend or amend the Direction.
11.
As previously advised, we would also provide advice on the eligibility policy at the same
time as any border changes that are expected to significantly increase visitor numbers
[CAB-21-MIN-001 refers].
Equity
12.
As was seen with the 2019 Measles Outbreak, community transmission of infectious
diseases can occur among groups who are not normally eligible for immunisation,
potential y putting the individuals, their whānau and their community at risk.
13.
Ensuring that everyone can access COVID-19 immunisation for free wil help us to
provide more equitable protection from the risk of COVID-19 for everyone in New
Zealand. As a result, it wil help us to uphold the COVID-19 Immunisation Strategy
principles of equity and equal concern. It also supports our global responsibility to help
end the pandemic.
14.
Expanding eligibility will be particularly important for those who would otherwise not be
eligible that are working in potentially high-risk roles or otherwise at risk to COVID-19.
Next steps
15.
Subject to your agreement and as per the requirements in the Crown Entities Act 2004,
the fol owing steps must be competed as soon as practicable:
a. We will publish the Ministerial Direction in the
Gazette.
b. We will update communications collateral to explicitly state who is eligible for
COVID-19 vaccines.
c. Your office wil need to arrange to present a copy of the direction to the House of
under the Official Information Act 1982
Representatives.
ENDS.
Released
Briefing: 20210174
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