133 Molesworth Street
PO Box 5013
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
T+64 4 496 2000
2 September 2021
Scott
By email: [FYI request #16060 email]
Ref:
H202108483
Tēnā koe Scott
Response to your request for official information
Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) on 13 July 2021 for
the following documents:
“1) COVID-19 vaccine portfolio update - April 2021 (REF 20210533)
2) Copies of all subsequent vaccine portfolio updates
3) COVID-19 Vaccine Portfolio - Management of Novavax Delivery Schedule (REF
20211095)”
On 10 August 2021 you were notified of the decision to extend time frame to provide a response
to your request until 26 August 2021. We apologise for the delay in response. The Ministry has
identified three documents within the scope of your request. These documents are outlined in
Appendix 1 of this letter with copies enclosed. Where information is withheld, this is noted in the
document itself.
I trust this information fulfils your request. Under section 28(3) of the Act you have the right to
ask the Ombudsman to review any decisions made under this request. The Ombudsman may
be contacted by email at: [email address] or by calling 0800 802 602.
Please note that this response, with your personal details removed, may be published on the
Ministry of Health website
at: www.health.govt.nz/about-ministry/information-releases.
Nāku noa, nā
Maree Roberts
Deputy Director-General
System Strategy and Policy
Appendix 1: List of documents for release
#
Date
Document details
Decision on release
1
25 March
COVID-19 Vaccine Portfolio
Released with some information
2021
March Update 2021
withheld under the following
sections of the Act:
• Section 9(2)(a) – to protect
the privacy of natural
persons, including that of
deceased natural persons.
• Section 9(2)(f)(iv) – to
maintain the constitutional
conventions for the time
being which protect the
confidentiality of advice
tendered by Ministers of the
Crown and officials.
• Section 9(2)(ba)(i ) to protect
information that is subject to
an obligation of confidence
and making it available
would likely damage the
public interest.
• Section 9(2)(j) to enable a
Minister or any public service
agency to carry on
negotiations without
prejudice or disadvantage
(including commercial and
industrial negotiations).
• Section 9(2)(g)(i) to maintain
the effective conduct of
public affairs through the free
and frank expression of
opinions by or between or to
Ministers and officers and
employees of any public
service agency.
2
5 May 2021 COVID-19 Vaccine Portfolio April Withheld in full under section
Update 2021
9(2)(f)(iv).
3
17 May 2021 COVID-19 Vaccine Portfolio -
Withheld in full under the following
Management of Novavax
sections of the Act:
Delivery Schedule
• Section 9(2)(f)(iv).
• Section 9(2)(ba)(i ).
Page 2 of 2
Document 1
Briefing
COVID-19 Vaccine Portfolio – Update March 2021
Date due to MO: 24 March 2021
Action required by:
29 March 2021
Security level:
Commercially Sensitive
Health Report number: 20210533
To:
Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister
Hon Grant Robertson, Minister of Finance
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Hon Dr Megan Woods, Minister of Research, Science and Innovation
Hon Chris Hipkins, Minister for COVID-19 Response
Hon Andrew Little, Minister of Health
Hon Nanaia Mahuta, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Copy to:
Hon Dr Ayesha Verral , Associate Minister of Health
INFORMATION
Contact for telephone discussion
Name
Position
Telephone
Dr Ashley Bloomfield
Director-General of Health
s 9(2)(a)
Maree Roberts
Deputy Director-General, System Strategy s 9(2)(a)
and Policy
Minister’s office to complete:
RELEASED UNDER THE OFFICIAL
☐ Approved
☐ Decline
☐ Noted
☐ Needs change
☐ Seen
☐ Overtaken by events
☐ See Minister’s Notes
☐ Withdrawn
Comment:
Document 1
COVID-19 Vaccine Portfolio – Update March
2021
Security level:
Commercially Sensitive
Date:
29 March 2021
To:
Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern, 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 Andrew Little, Minister of Health
Hon Nanaia Mahuta, Minister of Foreign Affairs
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Purpose of report
1.
This report provides an update on the vaccine portfolio and notes the need to balance
maintaining access to vaccines while ensuring that we make full use of the doses
available. This is part of the revised approach to managing the vaccine portfolio
following the decision to progress with a primarily Pfizer-based immunisation
INFORMATION
programme. It seeks three specific decisions at this time:
a. accepting or declining an additional three mil ion Janssen courses
b. reserving 750,000 AstraZeneca courses for Polynesia and Fiji; and
c. reserving, in principle, New Zealand’s Pfizer COVAX al ocation for use in the Cook
Islands and Niue.
Summary
2.
In May 2020, Cabinet agreed to the COVID-19 Vaccine Strategy [CAB-20-MIN-0382 refers].
The objective is to secure access to sufficient quantities of safe and effective COVID-19
vaccines.
3.
A vaccine portfolio approach was taken to manage several dimensions of significant risk,
such as possible vaccine failure during development. The vaccine portfolio now consists
of up to 20 mil ion courses across four different vaccines, taking into account an option
for three mil ion additional courses of the Janssen vaccine.
4.
The Ministry of Health updated you on 26 February 2021 on the need to revise the
RELEASED UNDER THE OFFICIAL
approach to managing the vaccine portfolio [HR 20210291 refers], given that the context
in which we are operating has shifted. The revised approach to the vaccine portfolio needs
to factor in where we have more certainty, for example around regulatory approval and
the decision to use the Pfizer vaccine.
5.
A decision is required by 31 March 2021 to accept or decline an option for an additional
3 mil ion Janssen courses.
Document 1
Managing uncertainty and balancing the vaccine portfolio
6.
In the early stages of the Vaccine Strategy, the portfolio was managing significant risks.
We are now increasingly confident that the level of risk is decreasing and there is more
certainty for our primarily Pfizer-based programme. There is stil some risk around
supply disruption and the possibility that the Pfizer vaccine may not be suitable for some
population groups.
7.
Managing any remaining risk by maintaining access to vaccines in our portfolio needs to
be considered against ensuring that no vaccines go to waste.
8.
Officials are close to providing the pathways for the best use of vaccines in our portfolio
(eg, use in New Zealand, donation, or resale) given that we have over 20 mil ion courses
likely to be available for use. We wil report back to you on pathways for use of vaccines
in our portfolio in May 2021.
Decision on the Janssen option for additional vaccine courses
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9.
We have committed to purchasing two mil ion courses of the Janssen vaccine, s 9(2)(b)
. (ii)
10.
As part of our Advance Purchase Agreement (APA) with Janssen, there is an option to
purchase an additional three million courses (five million in total). s 9(2)(b)(ii)
11.
Accepting the option would provide access to another full population coverage vaccine,
INFORMATION
should this be required for 2021 and 2022. However, it is unclear at this stage if the
vaccine would continue to be useful beyond the 2021 Immunisation Programme. s 9(2)
(g)(i)
12.
Declining the option would reduce the number of courses in our portfolio that we would
be required to redistribute and reduces the overal cost of the vaccine portfolio. We will
still have access to the two mil ion Janssen courses in 2021 if required for specific
population groups (including potential y people under 16) or to manage supply
disruptions should these be realised.
13.
Maintaining access to the two mil ion Janssen courses for s 9(2)(b) will keep our options
open for Polynesia and the wider Pacific, until they are able t
(ii) o make a decision on their
vaccination programmes.
14.
On balance, our recommendation is to decline the option of the additional three mil ion
courses of the Janssen vaccine.
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Reserving early access to the AstraZeneca vaccine for Polynesia and the wider Pacific
15.
s 9(2)(b)(ii)
Document 1
16.
Note that we have also recommended, in principle, that we reserve the 50,310 courses of
the Pfizer vaccine that are expected to be al ocated through the COVAX Facility to
support the Cook Islands and Niue, should these doses be available.
Fiscal implications
17.
s 9(2)(b)(ii)
Next steps
18.
We wil notify Janssen of the decision on the three million courses and confirm a delivery
schedule for the two (or five) million courses, by s 9(2)(b)(ii)
19.
We will also provide further advice on the use of our bilateral AstraZeneca doses and the
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two million Janssen doses and rebalancing the portfolio fol owing regulatory decisions in
mid-April 2021 and early May 2021.
Recommendations
We recommend you:
Managing uncertainty and balancing the vaccine portfolio INFORMATION
a)
Note that as the COVID-19 Immunisation Programme progresses and we
Yes/No
have greater certainty, consideration is required on the balance of the
portfolio between maintaining appropriate access and needing to ensure full
utilisation of vaccines
b)
Note that we are continuing to see the overal risk profile diminish and have
Yes/No
greater certainty in our primarily Pfizer-based programme, with some risk
remaining around supply disruption and maintaining options, if required, for
specific population groups
Janssen option for three million courses
c)
Agree to either:
i. accept the option for the additional three mil ion courses of the
Yes/No
Janssen vaccine for Q1 2022
or
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ii. decline the option for the additional three mil ion courses of the
Yes/No
Janssen vaccine for Q1 2022
(recommended option)
Document 1
Timing for future decisions on rebalancing the portfolio
d)
Note that we expect the risk profile to further decrease with more certainty
Yes/No
in mid-April and early May, following:
i. regulation outcomes for the Janssen and AstraZeneca vaccines
ii.
greater clarity from Polynesia on their preferences and pathways for
donation
e)
Note officials will provide further advice on the balance of the vaccine
Yes/No
portfolio and preferred use for our bilateral AstraZeneca doses and the two
million Janssen courses, in mid-April and early May
Reserving early access to vaccines for Polynesia and the wider Pacific
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f)
Note that Fiji has also sought at least 250,000 courses from New Zealand
Yes/No
g)
Agree in-principle to allocating courses from our portfolio to Fiji (at least
Yes/No
250,000 courses as requested but with potential to provide more)
h)
Agree to officials starting the conversation with Fiji with appropriate caveats,
Yes/No
including around the need for company approval and indemnity
INFORMATION
i)
s 9(2)(b)(ii)
Yes/No
j)
Agree, in principle, that we reserve the 50,310 courses of the Pfizer vaccine
Yes/No
that are expected to be al ocated through the COVAX Facility to support the
Cook Islands and Niue, should these courses be available.
Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern
Hon Grant Robertson
RELEASED UNDER THE OFFICIAL
Prime Minister
Minister of Finance
…../…../…..
…../…../…..
Document 1
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INFORMATION
RELEASED UNDER THE OFFICIAL
Document 1
COVID-19 Vaccine Portfolio – Update March
2021
Context
1.
In May 2020, Cabinet agreed to the COVID-19 Vaccine Strategy [CAB-20-MIN-0382
refers]. The objective is to secure access to sufficient quantities of safe and effective
COVID-19 vaccines, in order to implement our preferred COVID-19 Immunisation
Programme at the earliest possible time. Cabinet has agreed to New Zealand
committing to provide access to the six Polynesian countries (Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu,
Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau) to our portfolio of vaccines, with an ability to choose which
of the four candidates they prefer.
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2.
Achieving the objectives of the Strategy wil contribute to the fol owing outcomes:
a. sufficient supply of a safe and effective vaccine to achieve population immunity to
COVID-19
b. protection for Māori, Pacific peoples and population groups at particular risk from
COVID-19
c. full cultural, social and economic recovery from the impacts of COVID-19
INFORMATION
d. recognition of New Zealand as a valued contributor to global wellbeing and the
COVID-19 response.
3.
We are deliberately taking a portfolio approach to manage the risk of vaccine
development failure and to support the COVID-19 Immunisation Programme [CAB-20-
MIN-0508].
We have up to 20 million courses across four different candidates in our vaccine portfolio
4.
Our COVID-19 vaccine portfolio is made up of our advance purchase agreements (APAs)
and COVAX options listed below.
Table 1. Vaccine Portfolio
Candidate
Platform
APA
COVAX
Total Courses
Pfizer
mRNA
5 million
50,310
5.05 million
AstraZeneca
Viral vector
3.8 million
834,000
4.634 million
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Janssen
Viral vector
2 million
-
5 million
3 million (option)
Novavax
Protein sub-
5.36 million
-
5.36 million
unit
Total
20.044 mil ion
Document 1
Portfolio management
5.
In the early stages of the Vaccine Strategy, the portfolio was managing significant risks.
We are now increasingly confident that the level of risk is decreasing and there is more
certainty for our Pfizer-based programme. There is stil some risk around supply
disruption and the possibility that the Pfizer vaccine may not be suitable for some
population groups.
6.
Managing any remaining risk by maintaining access to vaccines in our portfolio needs to
be considered against ensuring that no vaccines go to waste.
7.
The context in which we are operating has shifted and the vaccine portfolio and
approach is now factoring in where we have more certainty, such as around regulatory
approval and favourable delivery schedules for Pfizer. As agreed (HR20210291 refers) the
approach to managing the vaccine portfolio is to:
a. adjust so that decisions on vaccine use reflects where we have greater confidence i
Act 1982n
vaccine candidate/s
b. adjust to increase the success of the COVID-19 Immunisation Programme delivery,
in particular to make the planning or logistics simpler by using one or two vaccines;
and
c. shift the wider portfolio to manage risk downstream or specific risks associated with
the use of a vaccine (eg, vaccine failure or delivery risk).
INFORMATION
8.
There is stil some risk around supply disruption and the possibility that the Pfizer
vaccine may not be suitable for some population groups. Managing these risks and
maintaining access to vaccines in our portfolio needs to be considered against ensuring
that we fully utilise vaccines in our portfolio so that no vaccines go to waste.
9.
Officials are now considering the pathways and timing for the use of vaccines in our
portfolio, given that we have over 20 mil ion courses likely to be available. We will report
back to you on pathways for use of vaccines in our portfolio in May 2021.
Decisions are now required on the Janssen vaccine, included in our portfolio
10.
We have committed to purchase two mil ion courses of the Janssen vaccine, which are
likely to be available for use in s 9(2)(b) . As part of our agreement with Janssen we must
accept or decline an option for an
(ii) additional three mil ion courses, which would bring
the total number of courses to five mil ion.
11.
Accepting or declining the option for three mil ion courses should be considered against
the level of risk. The recommendations in this paper are based on our revised approach
to managing the portfolio following the decision to progress with a Pfizer based
immunisation programme.
RELEASED UNDER THE OFFICIAL
12.
We also expect the risk profile to continue to decline and will provide further advice on
rebalancing the portfolio, fol owing regulatory decisions for Janssen and AstraZeneca,
expected in mid-April and early May 2021. See Appendix One for an update on timing
for decisions. We expect there wil be greater certainty at this time and more information
on possible pathways for donation and use.
Document 1
Janssen Options
Option for three million additional courses
13.
We have committed to purchase two mil ion courses of the Janssen vaccine, s 9(2)(b)
(ii)
14.
As part of our Advance Purchase Agreement (APA) with Janssen, there is an option for an
additional three mil ion courses. s 9(2)(b)(ii)
15.
The option for three million courses will bring the total available courses of the Janssen
vaccine to five million, with two million courses already committed.
16.
The Ministry of Health needs to confirm whether we wish to commit to the additional
three mil ion courses and negotiate with the supplier on desired delivery dates for both
Act 1982
the two million s 9(2)(b)(ii)
and three million courses, if opted for.
17.
We are seeking your decision on the option for Janssen, taking into account our current
portfolio, current risk profile, and our primarily Pfizer based programme.
18.
Accepting the additional three million courses:
a. maintains access to a full population coverage, single dose vaccine, with a two-year
shelf life at -20°C, that could be used to support an Immunisation Programme in
INFORMATION
2021 and 2022 if required
b. increases the overal cost of the portfolio, with the commitment for three million
courses s 9(2)(b)(ii)
19.
If we don’t use the Janssen vaccine officials would need to identify pathways for the full
five mil ion courses, if not required for New Zealand. There is also a reputational risk in
accepting the courses, given the volume of vaccines already purchased.
20.
Declining (recommended) the additional three million courses:
a. reduces the numbers of courses required to be redistributed, which are unlikely to
be required in New Zealand
b. reduces the overal fiscal cost of the vaccine portfolio which could be returned to
the centre for reprioritisation, or to reduce overal expenditure by the Crown
c. reduces the risk of having a vaccine that would not be as effective against variants
of concern
RELEASED UNDER THE OFFICIAL
d. continues to maintain access to two mil ion courses in 2021 that could be used if
necessary for specific population groups that are unable to use the Pfizer vaccine, or
if we have supply disruptions. It wil also provide for at least some coverage in New
Zealand, should another vaccine be required alongside Pfizer.
21.
The remaining two million Janssen courses available wil keep options open for Polynesia
and the Pacific, until they are able to make a decision.
Document 1
22.
Declining the option wil mean that we do not have enough Janssen doses for ful
population coverage if required due to vaccine failure or annual vaccination
requirements. s 9(2)(g)(i)
23.
On balance, we are recommending that you decline the option for three mil ion courses.
The risk profile is continuing to decline, and we continue to have confidence with the
Pfizer vaccine.
Reserving early access to the vaccines for Polynesia and the wider Pacific
Bilateral AstraZeneca doses
24.
s 9(2)(b)(ii)
This decisio
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is required because we need to finalise delivery schedules with AstraZeneca, prior to
decisions being made by Polynesian countries. s 9(2)(b)(ii)
25.
The 750,000 courses are an estimate of the courses required for Polynesia and the
potential pathway for donating to Fiji, who have indicated their interest in securing
courses of New Zealand’s AstraZeneca vaccine.
INFORMATION
26.
Fiji has previously asked New Zealand for 250,000 vaccine courses (of an unspecified
vaccine). It appears that, with the increased confidence in our overal portfolio, we would
have enough doses to offer this amount to Fiji in addition to meeting the needs of the
Polynesian countries. The exact mechanism for this needs to be worked out. It is not
proposed that we would donate these doses via the same mechanism as for the
Polynesian countries, as we need to focus resources to support delivery and rol out
within the existing Polynesian Health Corridors programme.
27.
As with al donations we would need the companies’ agreement, including to the terms
of indemnity. s 9(2)(f)(iv), s 9(2)(j)
28.
We seek an in-principle agreement in this paper to al ocate doses from our portfolio to
donate to Fiji (at least 250,000 courses as requested but with the potential to provide
more). This decision would al ow us to start the conversation with Fiji in the meantime,
with appropriate caveats as noted above. We would proceed in close consultation with
Australia.
29.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade advises that donation to Fiji is appropriate for a
number of reasons. There has been a direct request
RELEASED UNDER THE OFFICIAL from the Government of Fiji; Fiji’s
health system has greater capacity than others in the Pacific to manage an immunisation
programme without direct support from New Zealand, and the impact of ongoing
border closures on Fiji’s economy is significant.
Pfizer COVAX Allocation
30.
As part of our agreement with the COVAX Facility we have the option to purchase
enough courses for up to 50 percent of New Zealand and the Realm.
Document 1
31.
We are seeking your decision, in principle, that we reserve our expected allocation of the
50,310 courses of Pfizer vaccine through the COVAX Facility to support the Cook Islands
and Niue, should they become available. The al ocation of the Pfizer courses is stil to be
confirmed by the COVAX Facility. Officials wil update you as soon as there is more
information from the COVAX Facility.
Fiscal Implications
32.
Table 2 provides an updated view of the portfolio, including appropriated funding and
amounts paid to meet contract requirements.
s 9(2)(b)(ii)
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INFORMATION
RELEASED UNDER THE OFFICIAL
Document 1
Fiscal implications of maintaining access or use of vaccines in our portfolio
35.
s 9(2)(b)(ii)
36.
There wil be costs associated with utilisation of vaccines dependent on the pathways
available, and further work wil be required to identify the costs associated with the
donation or resale of up to 15 million courses of vaccines. Dependent on the pathway,
costs are likely to be different:
a. donation will likely incur additional costs associated with meeting indemnity
requirements, providing logistical support, consumables or costs associated with
using the COVAX Facility as mechanism for donation
b. resale might provide a route for reducing the overal cost of the vaccine portfolio,
but there are likely to be limited options available
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c. termination of contracts would be unlikely to incur additional costs other than the
full purchase amount agreed for each APA.
Next steps
37.
We wil notify Janssen of decisions on the three million courses and confirm a delivery
schedule for either the two or five million courses.
INFORMATION
38.
Advice wil be provided on the use of the AstraZeneca and Janssen vaccines and
rebalancing the portfolio fol owing regulatory decisions expected in Mid-April 2021 and
early May 2021.
ENDS.
RELEASED UNDER THE OFFICIAL
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s 9(2)(b)(ii)
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INFORMATION
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Document Outline
- 1. COVID-19 Vaccine Portfolio March Janssen Options.pdf
- Briefing
- COVID-19 Vaccine Portfolio – Update March 2021
- Contact for telephone discussion
- Minister’s office to complete:
- 20210533
- Health Report number:
- Commercially Sensitive
- COVID-19 Vaccine Portfolio – Update March 2021
- Purpose of report
- Summary
- Reserving early access to the AstraZeneca vaccine for Polynesia and the wider Pacific
- Recommendations
- 29 March 2021
- Reserving early access to vaccines for Polynesia and the wider Pacific
- Date:
- Commercially Sensitive
- COVID-19 Vaccine Portfolio – Update March 2021
- Context
- We have up to 20 million courses across four different candidates in our vaccine portfolio
- Portfolio management
- Janssen Options
- Option for three million additional courses
- Reserving early access to the vaccines for Polynesia and the wider Pacific
- Fiscal Implications
- Table 2. Fiscal overview of the portfolio
- Table 3. Janssen Option fiscal implications
- * assumes Medsafe approval prior to 30 June 2022.
- Fiscal implications of maintaining access or use of vaccines in our portfolio
- Next steps
- 1. COVID-19 Vaccine Portfolio March Janssen Options_Redacted.pdf