CO VID-19 VACCINE STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION WEEKLY REPORT
Week ending:
18 December 2020
Priority:
Routine
Security
In Confidence
Tracking number: 2021-1879
classification:
Action sought
Action sought
Deadline
Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern
Note the contents of this Weekly Report
N/A
Prime Minister
Hon Grant Robertson
Minister of Finance
Hon Dr Megan Woods
Minister of Research, Science and
Innovation
Hon Chris Hipkins
Minister for COVID-19 Response
Hon Nanaia Mahuta
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Hon Andrew Little
Minister of Health
Simon Rae
Maree Roberts
Manager of International Science Partnerships
Deputy Director-General, Systems Strategy
Labour Science & Enterprise, MBIE
and Policy
18 /12 /2020
18 / 12 / 2020
Minister’s comments:
0
IN CONFIDENCE
COVID-19 Vaccine Strategy
Implementation
Weekly Report
Week Ending 18 December 2020
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VACCINE STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION WEEKLY REPORT
Purpose
This weekly joint report updates Ministers on key developments in the implementation of the COVID-19 Vaccine
Strategy.
Workstre
ams
Advance Purchase Agreements
Contact: Poppy Haynes
Phone: 9(2)(a)
This week joint Ministers approved the purchase of 5.36 million courses of Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine
candidate. This candidate adds a new technology platform to our portfolio.
Definitive agreements with both Novavax and AstraZeneca were fully executed (signed by all parties) on 15
December. 9(2)(ba)(i) & (ii)
Ministers announced the Novavax and Astrazeneca purchases on 17 December, as part of a wider vaccine
announcement. The Pfizer and Janssen deals had been previously announced.
Negotiations have now concluded with Pfizer and Janssen on the final, legally binding APA contracts
(‘definitive agreements’), which follow and supersede the heads of terms.
Advice is being prepared for Ministers on these latest concluded negotiations, due by Monday 21
December. It is important we receive approval from Ministers to execute the definitive agreements this
year, 9(2)(ba)(i) & (ii)
, and because our current in-principle agreement with Janssen is not legally binding.
Once the House returns in the new year, statements will need to be presented to the House noting that the
Minister of Finance has granted indemnities for Novavax and AstraZeneca.
Indemnities
The Treasury will provide the Minister of Finance with two reports on Friday seeking agreement to the
indemnities included in the Janssen and Pfizer definitive agreements.
Immunisation Strategy and Programme
Contact: Mathew Parr
Phone: 9(2)(a)
DHB Engagement
A formal letter of engagement was shared with DHBs on 16 December in anticipation of the vaccine
announcements on 17 December. It formalises our collaboration process which will continue next year and
is accompanied by a comprehensive pack of information about the COVID-19 Vaccine and Immunisation
Programme that details the work which is being progressed across delivery pillars. It sets the tone for a
strong nationally led and overseen immunisation campaign that will be locally coordinated and delivered.
In the letter we have requested that DHBs provide information about plans to roll out an immunisation
campaign, including ensuring we have a dedicated employed and trained workforce. We are commencing a
structured programme of engagement which will include a series of webinar sessions and opportunities for
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VACCINE STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION WEEKLY REPORT
DHBs to provide feedback on our national planning assumptions.
We will closely monitor the development to the approach to ensure a strong equity focus is applied
throughout. We expect to provide a full overview of DHB plans by the end of January.
Decision to Use
Work
is progressing on the Decision to Use Framework that will guide decision makers when determining
whether to use a vaccine within the portfolio.
Te Tiriti considerations and equity will be at the core of the Decision to Use Framework and it will also
consider principles such as equity, wellbeing, value and regional responsibility. Further information will be
shared with Ministers in the New Year.
The Decision to Use Framework will be developed in early 2021 and will be the focus of the Cabinet paper
report back to Ministers. The Cabinet paper in early 2021 will also include updates on the Sequencing
Framework, eligibility to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and clarifications on the scope of “free” vaccination.
National Immunisation Solution
The first release of the new COVID-19 National Immunisation Solution has been completed on schedule for
1 January 2021. Work will continue on the solution with a target of 1 March 2021 to support first delivery of
the vaccine, with support and change processes in place.
Science Advice
Contact: Chriselle Braganza
The Science & Clinical Review Panel has reviewed the recently published Phase 3 trial data for the Pfizer
candidate to ensure that the scientific assessments informing Ministerial decisions on purchase agreements
reflect the latest available information.
In parallel, the panel has updated summaries of the four bilateral APA candidates to inform wider
programme decision-making, support science communications, and facilitate international Taskforce
collaborations with like-minded countries. These summaries were provided to Minister Verrall’s office for
use by advisors to inform on technical details relating to the candidates.
MBIE and MoH have initiated discussions about transitioning science advice on vaccines, from advice on
purchase decisions to advice on vaccines use decisions.
Joint update from MBIE and MoH Communications
Contact: Karl Ferguson (MBIE)
Carl Billington (MoH)
Communications planning
Our focus this week has been on finalising arrangements and communications collateral for Vaccine Day on
17 December, which included additional vaccine purchasing announcements. Along with the
announcement, we have also published on the Covid-19 website and social media channels a short,
animated video to explain the Vaccine Strategy. The video has been translated into a wide range of
languages. We have also published a series of social media posts via MOH channels to support the
announcement and ensure a wide audience – particularly harder to reach communities – hear the vaccine
updates directly from trusted channels.
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VACCINE STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION WEEKLY REPORT
A “Vaccin
e Update” video has also been produced for staff to ensure they’re updated and informed on
progress.
As p art of the implementation of our communications strategy – ‘Towards a COVID-19 free New Zealand,
together’ – MOH have commissioned Clemengers advertising agency, via the AoG contract arrangement, to
develop a public information campaign. This campaign, which will precede a wider immunisation campaign,
is designed to provide information and assurances on vaccine safety, and to provide updates on New
Zealand’s vaccine ‘readiness.’ The campaign is scheduled to begin early in 2021.
Stakeholder engagement ‘Covid commentators’ (Michael Baker, Siouxsie Wiles etc) were briefed last week on progress to secure the
vaccine portfolio; immunisation planning, timeframes and sequencing; and the Medsafe approval process.
Our proactive stakeholder engagement programme will begin again early in 2021.
Media management
We continue to field a range of media queries, and we are working with other Taskforce agencies to
coordinate and align responses.
Upcoming Briefings
Due Date
Briefing
Title
Sign Out
Number
Manager
18 Dec
2021-1847
Supply Agreement for purchase of COVID-19 vaccines from
Peter Crabtree
Pfizer Inc
18 Dec
2021-1849
Supply Agreement for purchase of COVID-19 vaccines from
Peter Crabtree
Janssen Pharmaceutica NV
Ministerial Official Information Act Requests
Due to
Due to
Number
Requestor Request
Status
Sign out
MO
Requestor
Copies of any briefings the
Minister has received from
Government Departments
(except for Briefings to
9(2)
Incoming Ministers, which I
OIA20-131
11 Jan
18 Jan 2021
Drafting
Poppy Haynes
2021
understand are being
proactively released) between
6 November 2020 and 13
November 2020 under the
Official Information Act.
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