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133 Molesworth Street
PO Box 5013
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
1 February 2022
T+64 4 496 2000
Hemant
By email: [email address]
Ref:
H202117901
Tena koe Hemant
Response to your request for official information
Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) to the Ministry of
Health (the Ministry) on 17 December 2021 for information related to COVID-19 vaccine medical
exemptions. You requested specifically:
"In an 1 pm press conference it was
mentioned that based on the numbers in Australia, NZ
was
expecting about 100 medical exemptions for vaccine passes would be issued. How
many medical exemptions have been issued that would allow someone to get a vaccine
pass?"
As of 10 January 2022, a total of 490 temporary medical exemptions have been granted. Of
these exemptions, approximately 350 have been provided to people who are confirmed as
having received the vaccine (a non-placebo) in any COVID-19 vaccine trial in New Zealand (for
example, the Valneva COVID-19 vaccine trial).
I trust this information fulfils your request under the Act. Under section 28(3) of the Act, you
have the right to ask the Ombudsman to review any decisions made under this request. The
Ombudsman may be contacted by email at: [email address] or by calling 0800
802 602.
Please note that this response, with your personal details removed, may be published on the
Ministry of Health website at: www.health.govt.nz/about-ministry/information-releases
Naku noa, na
Astrid Koornneef
Director
National Immunisation Programme