Kia ora Ross,

 

Thank you for your request for official information received on 10 August
2021 for:

 

"On 22 January 2021, the Immunisation Implementation Advisory Group met to
discuss Covid-19 and the Pfizer vaccine. Minutes of the meeting show that
the group discussed:

"Recent trial data from Norway raised concerned (sic) about vaccine
safety. New Zealand needs to be prepared for this."

At the same meeting, a Ministry official said that "Medsafe will be
approving the vaccine for use". (Medsafe approved the Pfizer vaccine on 3
February 2021, less than two weeks later.)

What risks, if any, did the Ministry identify given that it knew that the
vaccine would be approved and was aware of concerns about its safety?

On what date, if prior to 22 January, were officials informed that the
vaccine would be approved by Medsafe?

Are vaccine recipients informed, when being vaccinated, that the Ministry
of Health knew the vaccine would be approved, even though it was aware of
safety concerns?

Please provide me with all information held by the Ministry, including in
the minds of officials, about the Norwegian trial data.

Have vaccinators been supplied with information about the concerning
Norwegian trial data? If so, please supply me with all such information
given to vaccinators.

At the same meeting, the group discussed: "There is no specific control
group for trialling the vaccine in New Zealand."

Has a control group since been established? If so, please supply me with
all information about the trial group.”

The Ministry's reference number for your request is: H202110199.

 

As required under the Official Information Act 1982, the Ministry will
endeavour to respond to your request no later than 7 September 2021, being
20 working days after the day your request was received.

 

If we are unable to respond to your request within this time frame, we
will notify you of an extension of that time frame.

 

If you have any queries related to this request, please do not hesitate to
get in touch.

 

Ngâ mihi

 

OIA Services

Government Services

Office of the Director-General

Ministry of Health

E: [1][email address]

 

 

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References

Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]

Kia ora Ross,

 

 

Please find attached a response regarding your request for information.

 

 

Ngā mihi

 

OIA Services Team

 

[1]Ministry of Health information releases

[2]Unite against COVID-19

 

 

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References

Visible links
1. https://www.health.govt.nz/about-ministr...
2. https://covid19.govt.nz/