133 Molesworth Street
PO Box 5013
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
T+64 4 496 2000
31 May 2024
ASE
By email:
[FYI request #25305 email]
Ref:
H2024041128
Tēnā koe ASE
Response to your request for official information
Thank you for your follow up request under the Of icial Information Act 1982 (the Act) to the
Ministry of Health – Manatū Hauora (the Ministry) on 8 May 2024 for information regarding the
correlation of COVID-19 vaccines and COVID-19 reinfection. Please find a response to each
part of your request below.
1. Has Ministry of Health been, or not been, “following the science” around this issue, as
such data has been published in reputable scientific journals? (This includes articles
which raise concerns about these medical interventions increasing the risks of COVID-19
reinfections)
As per your previous request, the Ministry has not performed internal analyses and/or
correlation between the reinfection rates and the number of COVID-19 vaccines. This has not
changed from the past response.
The Ministry does collect data and calculate basic statistics, including case numbers,
reinfections, and booster numbers. Please note that this data is owned by Health New Zealand -
Te Whatu Ora
([email address]).
The Ministry keeps across international literature (published in reputable scientific journals) on
reinfections and vaccines.
The Ministry does not perform this kind of internal analysis of the data to correlate reinfections
with vaccine numbers, as per the reasons mentioned in the previous response.
2. Considering the claim that “the requested correlation of COVID reinfection rates to
numbers of COVID vaccines is not held by the Ministry”,
2a. On what basis does The Ministry of Health continue to maintain that these medical
interventions are safe and effective?
The Ministry maintains that COVID-19 vaccinations are safe and effective, as per the published
evidence and data that is also reviewed and discussed with experts. Further information about
this can be found here:
www.tewhatuora.govt.nz/corporate-information/about-us/expert-
groups/covid-19-vaccine-technical-advisory-group-cv-tag/.
In addition, as part of the Ministry of Health, Medsafe monitors the safety of COVID-19 vaccines
and medicines. Further information about this can be found here:
www.medsafe.govt.nz/COVID-19/safety-monitoring.asp.
The Ministry maintains regular surveil ance of all arising variants of SARS-CoV-2 in Aotearoa
New Zealand, as well as international literature on these variants
.
2b. How is this consistent with The Ministry of Health's commitments and assurances to
actively and proactively monitor the safety and efficacy of these medical interventions?
The active and proactive monitoring of the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines and
medicines is continuous and ongoing through the COVID-19 response, as described above.
I trust this information fulfils your request. If you wish to discuss any aspect of your request with
us, including this decision, please feel free to contact the OIA Services Team on:
[email address].
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
Manatū Hauora website at:
www.health.govt.nz/about-ministry/information-releases/responses-
official-information-act-requests.
Nāku noa, nā
Dr Kristie Carter
Group Manager, Intelligence Surveil ance and Knowledge
Public Health Agency | Te Pou Hauora Tūmatanui
Page 2 of 2
