Covid-19 Vaccine Strategy Taskforce
M inutes – Wednesday 19 August
Mee
ting Details
Members in Attendance
MBIE: Peter Crabtree (chair), Prue Williams
MFAT: David Taylor
MoH: Chris James, John Whaanga, Bronwyn Croxson
PHARMAC: Lisa Williams
(stand-in)
Treasury: Jess Hewat (stand-in)
DPMC: Philippa Yasbek
STAG: James Ussher
Apologies
Ian Town, Maree Roberts (MoH)
Additional attendees
MBIE: Simon Rae, Anthony Bull, Stephanie Symynuk, Zachary Clarke
PHARMAC: Andrew Oliver
MFAT: Glenys Karran
Minutes and Action Points
The APA decision framework
The Taskforce was broadly supportively of the Working Group’s proposed decision framework. Joint
ministers wil be expecting advice on the framework soon, and the framework A3s wil need to be
developed into a briefing as part of this process. MBIE wil hold the pen on the paper, with support
from a senior advisor from the Ministry of Health.
Members sought advice from Medsafe on whether it would be able to provide advice on specific
portfolio issues. Medsafe advised that there are some areas where it can advise on, such as with
established manufacturers, and that it would be happy to provide advice on what potential portfolio
prioritisations would mean for Medsafe’s validation and approval processes.
Actions:
1. MBIE to report back on the STAG’s feedback on the framework
2. MBIE and MOH to write a briefing to joint ministers seeking approval of the framework as
soon as possible.
COVAX Facility
MFAT presented a paper on COVAX, which provided an update on progress and next steps for New
Zealand’s engagement with the Facility. COVAX is an unusual multilateral process, and has largely
been iteratively designed by experts as it progresses. MFAT was of the view that while chal enges
remain, New Zealand should continue to be involved in the process as the Facility is heading in the
right direction and provides valuable portfolio insurance and diversification.
Members agreed that agencies wil need to answer two key questions that have arisen as the design
of the Facility has evolved. Firstly, do we intend to seek options to purchase or to pre-purchase
vaccines through the Facility? Secondly, to what extent should we trade off portfolio diversification
to pursue individual candidates through the Facility?
The Taskforce agreed to the ful list of recommendations in the paper, with a revision to
recommendation b. to “access” instead of “recruit” portfolio management expertise to assess how
the COVAX Facility could complete other investment decisions. This expertise is likely to come from
several different sources, both internal and external.
6(a)
These meetings wil result in a revised set of principles for the Facility, which wil soon be
rel eased. Fol owing the release of these principles, member countries wil be required to give a non-
binding commitment of their intention to participate in the Facility by 31 August.
Act ion:
1. MFAT to lead development of a paper to joint ministers on providing a Confirmation of
Intent to Participate in the COVAX Facility
Vaccine target list
MBIE presented on a draft vaccine candidate priority target list. It is intended to identify which
pharmaceutical companies should be engaged with first, and is not intended to reflect a balanced
APA portfolio. It wil be a living document and wil be regularly updated as more information
becomes available.
The list is based on narrowing down the WHO’s vaccine candidates list to those candidates with
sufficient funding to complete phase I and I I clinical trials (typical y either established
pharmaceutical companies or those with CEPI or Operation Warp Speed funding). Candidates on the
list were then prioritised based on an initial estimate of their rankings against the two primary
criteria in the framework; vaccine performance, and availability and access.
Action:
1. MBIE to report back on the STAG’s feedback on the target list
Indemnity issues
Virginia Fenton presented on the initial indemnity paper. The paper noted that it is reasonably
common to grant indemnities for pandemic vaccines (as the shorter clinical trials make it impossible
to guarantee no adverse effects in the long term), 9(2)(j)
Indemnity issues wil be particularly prevalent around domestic clinical trials, which are unlikely to be
covered by ACC. As there is a case for clinical trials to be held domestical y to meet New Zealand’s
Treaty obligations, this may form an ongoing policy topic. Medsafe also noted that, while not
required, domestic clinical trial data would be helpful for the regulatory approval process.
6(b)(i)
The Taskforce concluded that there were several potential policy areas that could be pursued, and
that these would need to be prioritised if additional resources are not available. MBIE’s ongoing
work on indemnities wil identify key questions and answers, and assist in prioritising ongoing policy
areas.
Action:
1. MBIE to report back on progress on indemnity issues at the next Taskforce meeting.
Programme Management
MBIE is currently increasing its resourcing for the vaccine strategy to increase the efficiency and
effectiveness of this work. MBIE is currently developing a number of project artefacts to ensure
effective programme management, which include a project management plan, risk registers, and a
vaccine candidate engagement tracker. The Chair presented a draft paper detailing the proposed
progr
amme management structure, which focuses on shifting to a teams based system. The teams
are as fol owing:
Strategy and Policy, Simon Rae (MBIE)
Vaccine Acquisition, Poppy Haynes (MBIE)
Communications, Karl Ferguson (MBIE)
International Engagement, Glenys Karran (MFAT)
Programme Management, Alastair McKay (MBIE)
Immunisation Strategy, TBC (MOH)
Actions:
1. Agencies to provide feedback on the proposed programme management structure to
Alastair McKay.
2. MBIE to work with agencies to develop and finalise programme management artefacts (such
as weekly reports and risk registers)
3. MOH to identify a permanent lead for the Immunisation Strategy workstream
