Covid-19 Vaccine Strategy
Science and Technical Advisory Group
M
inutes – Wednesday 4 November 2020
(Confidential)
Date & time
10:00 to 11:00AM, Wednesday 4 November
Attendees
Ian Town (Chair)
Justine Daw
David Murdoch (Deputy Chair)
Allison Bennett
Ian Frazer
Sahar Fanian
Peter McIntyre
Karl Ferguson
Nikki Moreland
Stephanie Symynuk
Helen Petousis-Harris
Emily Robinson
John Taylor
Chriselle Braganza
Nikki Turner
James Ussher
Apologies
Matire Harwood
Sue Crengle
Graeme Jarvis
Item for discussion
Led by
Administration
1.
Apologies
Ian Town
Matire Harwood, Sue Crengle, Graeme Jarvis
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 21 October 2020 were approved.
4.
Matters arising
Justine Daw /
Justine Daw and Ian Town provided updates on matters arising:
Ian Town
There are likely to be three candidates offered through COVAX, two of which
were already known through the Advance Purchase Agreement (APA) process,
and a third which looks interesting. We will likely have two weeks to make a
first decision on the option to purchase (to remain ‘opted in’ for potential
purchase). Project Lead Glenys Karran from MFAT will provide an update on
COVAX at the next STAG meeting (18 November).
The agenda for today covers a number of matters arising:
-
an update on the Taskforce Communications and Engagement Strategy
-
an updated table summarising bilateral APA candidate progress
-
an update on clinical trials / long-term surveillance
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Ian Town discussed the CARM proposal with Chris James at Medsafe, who
confirmed that they have approval in principle to proceed. Medsafe is
currently working through the acceptance and funding processes. The
urgency around this was noted by the STAG.
5.
Review of rol ing monthly planner
Justine Daw
Justine Daw noted that the next two weeks will be critical in terms of APA
purchasing, with a number of Science and Clinical Review Panel assessment
documents being finalised to inform purchase decision briefings to Ministers.
COVAX timelines remain unclear at this stage, but expect more information
shortly.
The Government will not be purchasing all the vaccines that have been reviewed.
While the Taskforce has yet to make a decision on final numbers, it will likely seek
to finalise four APAs before Christmas, with COVAX candidates enabling us to
manage portfolio risk through additional purchasing, as needed.
A meeting has been scheduled with the Science and Clinical Review Panel on 10
November to discuss the portfolio as a whole.
There may be periodic requests for advice into early 2021, as we monitor the
portfolio of purchased vaccine candidates over time, in respect to delivery
schedules, logistics and performance.
Updates
6.
COVID-19 Vaccine Portfolio: Anticipated population coverage
Allison
Allison Bennett (Project Lead, Immunisation Roll-out) presented the initial
Bennett /
assessment of population coverage for potential vaccine candidates based on
Sahar Fanian
information available to date.
STAG comment was sought on the draft analysis, including the assumptions made
and any other factors, limitations or assumptions that need to be considered. The
analysis will be updated as more information becomes available.
Discussion included:
This work supports decisions on what vaccines to purchase (and in what
volume), and will help plan and schedule the immunisation roll-out. A high
degree of uncertainty in the assumptions was noted, with the analysis aiming
to test whether risk has been spread sufficiently across the portfolio and
identify gaps in coverage.
The STAG agreed that the analysis appeared sound based on the information
currently available, but recommended monitoring whether purchased vaccine
candidates would provide personal protection or a reduction in transmission
(or both). It was recommended that some ‘carriage’ studies might be
considered early on, with New Zealand in a unique position to undertake
these. Conversely, some global clinical trials were starting to include higher-
risk participants, which would provide additional insights for New Zealand.
The next STAG meeting (18 November) will focus on this issue of priority
surveillance, post-marketing and associated research needs for New Zealand
and Polynesia.
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7.
Engagement and Communications Programme update
Karl Ferguson
/ Stephanie
Karl Ferguson (Project Lead, Communications and Engagement) provided an
Symynuk
update on the Taskforce’s Communications and Engagement strategy. Everyone in
New Zealand has a stake, or at least an interest, in the Vaccine Taskforce’s work.
The strategy acknowledges the challenges and responsibilities that come with this.
Key points from the strategy are:
-
Phase 1 is ongoing, and aims to highlight and tell the story of the Taskforce
and its key milestones. This phase includes active planning of announcements
and media management of critical communications through a range of
channels.
-
Phase 2 is focused on public engagement and recognises the significant
interest in Covid-19 vaccines from a range of groups. It will be looking at how
we can engage directly with these communities, including vulnerable groups.
-
In Phase 3, the Taskforce will work closely with MoH on communications to
support the immunisation roll-out.
Discussion included:
The upcoming informational video (with Helen Petousis-Harris) is well-done
and accessible. It is expected to be released on the COVID-19 website
[
complete as at 7 November].
It will be important to provide ongoing reassurance to the public about the
significant, science-based activities underway as part of the Taskforce
programme, which will underpin confidence in the decisions made, despite
the pace at which things are moving.
The STAG noted that it will be important to ensure that a range of voices and
channels (including Māori and Pacific), are incorporated into the programme
to speak directly to the communities they’re engaged with. Drs Siouxsie Wiles
and Jess Berentson-Shaw were both noted as effective communicators.
It was agreed that different communication channels, actors and styles are
important. The Taskforce is already proactively engaging with a small group of
key science commentators, and will discuss with this group what type of
questions they are receiving, and how the Taskforce can best support them in
their independent commentary.
Preparations are in progress, led by Nikki Turner’s UoA group, for an online
database on relevant communications material and generic Q&A’s to front-
foot enquiries. There is an opportunity for the STAG to work collectively on
this to identify and share relevant high-level material that can serve as the
primary point of reference for incoming enquiries.
The Taskforce should be aware to the possibility that, given New Zealand’s
status of having negligible community transmission, New Zealanders may
begin to view COVID-19 as an external threat, and be prepared to address any
communications and engagement needs that may rise from that.
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Discussion
8.
Horizon Research COVID-19 Acceptance and potential uptake report
Karl Ferguson
/ Stephanie
Karl Ferguson also presented on a Horizon report commissioned to provide a
Symynuk
baseline for attitudes and sentiments towards vaccines and issues that are likely
to influence vaccine acceptance. The report noted that some population groups
are more likely to decline a vaccine if offered, and that the success of trials and
immunisation programmes overseas will impact vaccine hesitancy in New Zealand.
STAG members were welcome to share the report in confidence, but noted
Horizon’s request that, before referencing this research, Horizon should be
contacted to discuss the use and interpretation of the data presented.
Discussion included:
The report’s findings were not a surprise. The report was considered to
broadly reflect current vaccine-related perceptions in New Zealand.
In general, Māori were less likely to accept a vaccine if offered, and parents/
care-givers noted hesitancy in giving new vaccines to children.
It will be important to match communications and engagement from the
Taskforce (and more broadly) with evolving sentiment/feeling in the
community.
Further targeted surveys could potentially be useful to understand the views
of particular groups, for example, border and MIQ staff, and emergency
workers. It will be important to understand vaccine-related attitudes in these
groups, particularly as the issue of compulsory vaccination for workers in
high-risk employment may potentially be raised for consideration in the
future.
The issue of compulsory vaccination should also be considered in terms of
border restrictions as well – for example, will it be compulsory to
demonstrate vaccination before travelling to New Zealand [c.f. Yellow Fever
certificates], and how do people who have to travel frequently for work feel
about this?
9.
Responding to direct approaches on candidates
Ian Town
If STAG members receive a direct approach to either purchase or review the
science of vaccine candidates, they can forward these on to the Taskforce team
for response. STAG members do not need to respond directly, but they may elect
to confirm that the enquiry has been referred to the Taskforce.
10.
Clinical trials and long-term surveil ance monitoring
Ian Town
Ian Town noted that it will be important to be clear what we mean by surveillance
and clinical trials, and that an issues paper on the topic will be presented at the
next STAG meeting (18 November) by Drs Helen Petousis-Harris and Fran Priddy
(Clinical Director of VAANZ, the New Zealand vaccine research platform), with
support from Prof. David Murdoch.
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11.
Other matters
Ian Town
Justine Daw noted the following points
The STAG Terms of Reference have been updated to include a ‘Fees and
Services’ section, the current STAG membership, and the role and the
membership of the Science and Clinical Review Panel.
Information on how STAG members may submit invoices for payment will be
sent out in the next few days.
The Taskforce hopes that those STAG members who are able will join an in-
person meeting of the STAG on 2 December 2020. STAG members should
arrange for their own transport, with expenses to be invoiced to MBIE.
Should this cause any difficulties, please get in touch with Emily Robinson at
MBIE to discuss.
12.
Meeting close
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