CO VID-19 VACCINE STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION WEEKLY REPORT
Week ending:
16 October 2020
Priority:
Routine
Security
In Confidence
Tracking number: 2021-1085
classification:
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 of Health
Rt Hon Winston Peters
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Dr Peter Crabtree
Maree Roberts
General Manager Science, Innovation and International
Deputy Director-General, Systems Strategy
16 / 10 / 2020
and Policy
16/ 10 / 2020
Minister’s comments:
0
IN CONFIDENCE
COVID-19 Vaccine Strategy
Implementation
Weekly Report
Week ending 16 October 2020
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VACCINE STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION WEEKLY REPORT
Purpose
This weekly joint report updates Ministers on key developments of the implementation of the COVID-19 Vaccine
Strategy.
Workstre
ams
Advance Purchase Agreements
Contact: Poppy Haynes
Phone: 9(2)(a)
Overall progress summary
Heads of Terms announced: 1 binding agreement announced.
Science reviews: 6 science reviews completed.
Provision of Heads of Terms/supply agreements by vaccine developers: 5 drafts received.
Negotiations with vaccine suppliers: 4 in active discussion, 1 definitive agreement underway (following agreement on
Heads of Terms).
Progress this week
This week, the Minister of Research, Science and Innovation, and the Minister of Health announced New Zealand’s
purchase of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine. This is the first advance purchase agreement (APA) agreed by New Zealand. The
agreement secures 1.5 million doses of the BNT162 mRNA vaccine, providing coverage for 750,000 people. Under this
agreement, it is possible that New Zealand may receive doses of the vaccine as early as Q1 2021. The proposed delivery
schedule sees the doses shipped to New Zealand over three calendar quarters next year. This makes the Pfizer vaccine
one of the earliest available, should the company complete all clinical trials and authorisation within their proposed
timelines. We are now working to negotiate and finalise the definitive agreement (which contains additional detail to
the key terms in the Heads of Agreement).
We have been advancing negotiations with four other suppliers this week, including candidates, which may be able to
provide full population coverage. We hope to conclude at least two more negotiations by early November.
Immunisation Strategy and Programme (MOH)
Contact: Mathew Parr
Phone: 9(2)(a)
Following the approval of funding, the Ministry has purchased a number of ultra-low temperature (-70 degrees Celsius)
freezers to use as part of the national warehousing and logistics infrastructure. Over the coming weeks, the Ministry
will also purchase smaller ultra-low temperature freezers to be used within DHBs.
There has been difficulty in sourcing the required needles to deliver a COVID-19 vaccine. The Ministry has confirmed
that the needles held in the National Reserve are fit for purpose as a 'giving' needle, however has been unable to source
the 'drawing' needle recommended by vaccine manufacturers. A supplier has recommended an alternative drawing
needle, and we are confirming with vaccine manufacturers whether they are appropriate for use.
Work is underway to develop the COVID-19 Vaccine Prioritisation framework that will underpin the COVID-19
Immunisation Strategy. We are scheduled to meet with the Immunisation Implementation Advisory Group (IIAG) on
16 October and intend to discuss and agree:
key parameters for the prioritisation framework, including: proposed problem definition, assumptions,
principles and other considerations that should be taken into account;
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VACCINE STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION WEEKLY REPORT
objectives for the prioritisation framework under a range of scenarios; and
key questions that need to be considered and answered to complete the prioritisation framework.
Work is underway to ensure that the analysis of population cohorts and vaccine characteristics will be available ahead
of the 30 October meeting with the IIAG. This analysis will enable us to discuss the answers to the questions that are
agreed at their meeting on 16 October.
Updated programme governance structures and a programme gantt chart is being presented to the Minister of Health
this week.
COVAX
Contact: Glenys Karran
Phone: 9(2)(a)
China announced on 9 October that it would join the COVAX Facility to procure doses for 1 percent of its
population. At least one China-produced vaccine candidate (Clover) is expected to be distributed
internationally through the COVAX Facility. The United Kingdom has also confirmed its participation.
In a budget announcement this week, Australia unveiled a COVID-19 Vaccine Access and Health Security
Program (AU$23.2 million over three years), which will support the development of national immunisation
policies for Pacific island countries, Timor-Leste and Southeast Asian countries, for delivery of COVID-19
vaccines. We are seeking further details about this initiative.
Following the Minister of Foreign Affairs’ agreement in-principle to using Official Development Assistance to
purchase vaccines for Polynesia, a paper was approved by the interagency Vaccine Taskforce on the details of
this, including how we will factor it into our overall purchasing strategy. Officials will commence engagement
with Polynesian governments to understand their needs and support planning. We remain in close contact with
Australia and are enquiring about the details of its plans for vaccine provision to the Pacific.
The US has published an “Executive Order on ensuring essential medicines, medical countermeasures, and
critical inputs are made in the United States”. It is unclear whether and how this will impact the flow of vaccines
and inputs to vaccine manufacture in and out of the US. MFAT is following this issue in the World Trade
Organisation as a member of the Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA), and will coordinate with
likeminded GPA members to understand the implications of the Executive Order decision. Given that the
definitive list of products is likely to be made public by early December, the process is not dependent on the
November election as inauguration will not take place until 20 January.
Science and Manufacturing
Contact: Justine Daw
Phone: 9(2)(a)
Vaccine Alliance Aotearoa New Zealand (VAANZ)
– Clinical trials
VAANZ is making good progress in establishing a collaborative vaccine research platform in New Zealand. This month
has seen continued progress, with VAANZ having prepared an application to the Environmental Protection Authority to
bring in hamsters for use as an alternate model to mice for preclinical studies of vaccine candidates. Australian research
groups have expressed interest in using these models if approved, which is positive in terms of thickening NZ-Australian
collaboration in vaccines. The Platform has also agreed with NZ company CVC (COVID-19 Vaccine Corporation Ltd) to
evaluate their vaccine candidate through the VAANZ screening platform in early 2021, and progressed discussions with
other vaccine and adjuvant research groups on accessing the screening platform.
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VACCINE STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION WEEKLY REPORT
Communications
Contact: Karl Fergusson
Phone: 9(2)(a)
Communications planning
We worked closely with Task Force agencies on key communications collateral to support the Pfizer announcement. We
work
ed with Pfizer to coordinate the timing of the press release and ensure consistent messaging for Q&As. Key
stakeholders – especially those likely to be approached by media for comment – were provided with a ‘heads up’ prior
to the announcement going out. A number of those stakeholders have provided positive public comment as a result.
The announcement received widespread coverage in New Zealand (52 mentions in media articles), with a generally
positive sentiment.
We anticipate being in a position to make further APA announcements late October/early November. We will work with
Ministers’ offices to develop the details of these announcements.
Stakeholder engagement
We are continuing to work with MoH to determine the membership of a joint Stakeholder Reference Group and its
Terms of Reference. Based on feedback from key agencies, we intend to complement the role of the Stakeholder
Reference Group through direct engagement with related sectors (disabled peoples, education, etc.) via already
established sector forums.
As part of our engagement approach, we are working with Te Kupenga (MBIE’s Māori Economic Development Unit) to
connect with existing Iwi engagement forums.
Separately, we are working with MoH and MFAT to develop a communication plan for the Pacific, to ensure that their
communication needs are understood and met.
Media management
We are working with MoH and Pfizer on any follow-up media queries, post-announcement.
We have provided reactive Q&As to Minister Woods’ office and other agencies after Johnson & Johnson announced a
pause in their COVID-19 vaccine trial.
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VACCINE STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION WEEKLY REPORT
Upcomin
g Briefings
Due Date
Briefing
Title
Sign Out
Number
Manager
TBC
Business Case for Domestically Manufacturing COVID-19
Simon Rae
Vaccines
(Nov 2020)
Cabinet Paper
Due Date
Briefing
Title
Sign Out
Number
Manager
TBC
COVID-19 Vaccine Strategy – Nov 2020 Progress Report
Peter Crabtree
(Nov 2020)
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