2 August 2021
Ross Francis
[FYI request #16112 email]
Reference: OIA-2021/22-0017
Dear Ross Francis
Official Information Act request relating to side effects of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine
Thank you for your Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) request received on 18 July 2021.
You requested:
“did the New Zealand Government ask Pfizer, or any of its representatives, to pay
(either partly or fully) for the cost of treating possible serious side-effects in New
Zealand? If so, what was the value of any suggested contribution and what was
Pfizer’s response?
During the Prime Minister’s meetings with Pfizer in 2021, was the issue of
possible serious side-effects discussed? If so, please provide me with all
information held about any such discussion(s).
how many people (if any) may suffer serious side-effects from the Covid-19 vaccine(s)
in New Zealand?
what information was produced between 22 October and 11 December 2020 to
diminish concerns about the above adverse events?”
On 28 July 2021, you were notified that parts of your request were being transferred to the
Ministry of Health for response. The part of your request for information regarding the Prime
Minister’s conversation with Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla in March 2021 has remained with the
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet for response.
I can confirm that the Prime Minister did not discuss the possibility of side-effects with the
CEO of Pfizer. Therefore, I am refusing your request pursuant to section 18(e) of the Act as
the document alleged to contain the information requested does not exist.
Executive Wing, Parliament Buildings, Wellington, New Zealand 6011
4410907
64 4 817 9698 www.dpmc.govt.nz
You have the right to ask the Ombudsman to investigate and review my decision under
section 28(3) of the Act.
We do not intend to publish this response on the Department of the Prime Minister and
Cabinet’s website.
Yours sincerely
Clare Ward
Executive Director
Strategy, Governance and Engagement
4410907
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