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Hon Michael Wood
Minister of Transport
Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety
17 January 2022
MOIA21-204
Annie Weston
[FYI request #17704 email]
Dear Annie
Thank you for your OIA request of 25 November 2021. Since you have not requested any
information held by the Government, I am instead responding to your question as
correspondence regarding my portfolio as Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety. Your
message was concerning a perceived disregard of workers’ rights if they have chosen not to
be vaccinated.
The Medsafe report you referred to in your request clarifies that only one death could be
attributed to vaccine induced myocarditis, with the others either unlikely to be attributable to
the vaccination or with uncertain causes. While it is unfortunate that even one death is
attributed to the vaccination, the benefits of the vaccination far outweigh the risks
1. Both
reports you included show that there is occasional y unfortunate medical events following
vaccinations, but this does not mean there is a causal link between the vaccination and any
adverse medical events which occur closely following the administration of the vaccine.
People can stil choose whether to be vaccinated. There is, however, some work that can
only be carried out by people who have been vaccinated. This includes roles which involve
interacting with vulnerable people or those who cannot be vaccinated (e.g. children). If
workers in these roles choose not to be vaccinated, then that could have implications for
continuing in their job. Employees who are unable to work due to their vaccination status are
supported through a four-weeks’ paid notice period.
Getting vaccinated is the most important thing we can do to help stop the spread of COVID-
19 and keep our whānau and workplaces safe. The vaccine saves lives and means people
are far less likely to get sick and end up in hospital if they get COVID-19. Getting as many
people vaccinated as soon as possible is the key to keeping our communities safe and re-
opening New Zealand.
I hope you have found this information useful.
Yours sincerely
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https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/COVID-19/safety-report-36.asp
Hon Michael Wood
Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety
