Covid-19 Vaccine Strategy
Science and Technical Advisory Group
Minutes – Wednesday 2 December 2020
( Confidential)
Date & time
3:15 to 3:55pm, Wednesday 2 December
Attendees
Ian Town (Chair)
Justine Daw (MBIE)
David Murdoch (Deputy Chair)
Jonathan Lane (MBIE)
Sue Crengle
Emily Robinson (MBIE)
Graeme Jarvis
Chriselle Braganza (MBIE)
Peter McIntyre
Nikki Moreland
Helen Petousis-Harris
John Taylor
Nikki Turner
James Ussher
Apologies
Matire Harwood, Ian Frazer
Item for discussion
Led by
Administration
1.
Apologies
Ian Town
Matire Harwood, Ian Frazer
2.
STAG Conflicts of Interest
Ian Town
The current COI register was noted, with no new conflicts declared.
3.
Review of minutes from last STAG meeting
Ian Town
The minutes from the STAG meeting on 18 November 2020 were approved.
4.
Matters arising
Justine Daw
Justine Daw provided updates on matters arising:
The current suite of A3 Science Overviews have been circulated and will be
updated as new information becomes available. An electronic repository
(Box for Enterprise) has been established for these documents. Please direct
any questions to Chriselle or Emily respectively.
MFAT will update the STAG on COVAX as further details become available.
New Zealand has retained the option to purchase three candidates, two of
which have already been assessed as part of the bilateral APA negotiations.
The STAG/Science Review Panel will be given as much notice as possible if
advice is required on the third candidate.
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5.
Review of work programme
Justine Daw
Justine Daw noted that the Science and Clinical Review Panel documentation to
support the current bilateral APA negotiations is largely complete (pending any
further clinical trial data being released).
The Taskforce’s intent is to have APAs (either full or in principal agreements)
with four candidates before Christmas to provide the coverage that NZ needs,
with a diverse portfolio both in terms of candidate platforms and availability.
The STAG stressed the need for the Taskforce to communicate the dates of
announcements in advance, to enable them to respond to public/media queries.
Action: The Taskforce will update the STAG as soon as possible with regard to
timings for vaccine announcements.
Updates
6.
Update on the Immunisation Strategy and implementation
Ian Town
Ian Town provided an update on the development of a high-level framework for
the Immunisation Programme, the next major phase of work. The goal of the
Framework is to identify the clear pillars of activity that cover the breadth of
what needs to be delivered, and organise our work accordingly.
Key points were
Seven pillars of work have been identified, each of which has a series of
activities, lead and supporting agencies, and stakeholders. Effective
communications and engagement across the pillars will be essential for the
programme’s success.
The Distribution and Inventory Management pillar is well underway, with
the goal of having everything needed for the full programme in New
Zealand by February 2020. Discussions around deployment are ongoing,
including the identification and retraining of staff to increase our workforce.
Detailed delivery planning is underway, including ensuring that an interim
solution is in place should delivery of vaccines be required earlier in Q1.
Discussion included:
Communication and engagement will be critical for transparency and to
build public confidence, recognising that we will not have answers to many
of the questions that will be asked to the degree of certainty we would like.
The social research into vaccine acceptance commissioned by the Taskforce
will be updated regularly to gauge public feeling. The Communications and
Engagement pillar is largely reactive at the moment as new clinical trial data
is published, but recognises the need for targeted, as well as broad, surveys.
Suppliers need to be included in the Post-Event pillar to ensure they are able
to meet their regulatory obligations. Companies could also be a useful two-
way channel for communication/messaging, particularly on issues such as
the use of GM in vaccines.
Action: MOH to update the STAG on the development of the Immunisation
Programme, including an A3 document setting out the deliverables.
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Discussion
7.
Workshop - Surveil ance, post-marketing and associated needs
David Murdoch
Prof David Murdoch provided an overview of the 2 December 2020 workshop on
Surveillance, post-marketing and associated needs for NZ and Polynesia. The
workshop reached a relatively high degree of consensus on priorities for activity
and associated investment.
A summary paper outlining the discussion and proposed next steps for the
programme design will be presented for consideration by the Taskforce at the
next meeting (9 December). Two priority areas were proposed (Safety, and a
National Cohort Phase IV trial) with further design work needed.
Key recommendations from the workshop were:
The prioritisation of a nationally consistent approach to preparation for
immunisation roll-out and post-marketing monitoring and associated trials.
Building on existing tools and approaches, but recognising that the roll-out
would require upgrades to key systems.
Commencing trial and associated research activity now so that effective,
meaningful and well-designed surveillance can start immediately on vaccine
arrival in NZ. This was deemed critical, including in respect of populations
not wel covered in offshore trials (e.g. Māori and Pacific peoples)
Multiple agencies and actors across New Zealand will be needed to collaborate
to deliver assurance and support public confidence in vaccine performance.
Action: MBIE and MOH to coordinate the drafting of a summary paper for
consideration at the next Taskforce meeting on 2 December.
8.
Next Steps for the STAG
Justine Daw /
Ian Town
Ian Town and Justine Daw noted that planning for the transition of governance
(including the Taskforce Chair) from MBIE to MOH is underway.
With bilateral purchasing agreements nearing completion, Christmas and New
Year provides a natural pause. The advice of the STAG members will continue to
be sought as new details about vaccines in the portfolio emerge, COVAX Facility
candidates are presented, and immunisation planning develops.
Rather than fortnightly scheduled meetings, the STAG (and Science and Clinical
Review Panel) will reconvene in 2020 at the Taskforce’s discretion.
9.
Other matters
Justine Daw
No other matters were raised.
10.
Meeting close
Ian Town
Following the closure of the formal part of the STAG meeting, Dr Peter Crabtree
(Taskforce Chair) joined the group and thanked the members for their immense
contribution to the Vaccine Strategy over many months.
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