Covid-19 Vaccines - Serious Side Effects
Ross Francis made this Official Information request to Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
The request was partially successful.
From: Ross Francis
Dear Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet,
New Zealand has reportedly purchased 10 million doses of Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine. At an estimated price of $28 per dose, the cost to New Zealand taxpayers would be in the vicinity of $280 million. Pfizer’s profit is estimated to be $80 million from sale of the vaccine in New Zealand.
Before it agreed to purchase the vaccine, did the New Zealand Government ask Pfizer, or any of its representatives, to pay (either partly or fully) for the cost of treating possible serious side-effects in New Zealand? If so, what was the value of any suggested contribution and what was Pfizer’s response?
During the Prime Minister’s meetings with Pfizer in 2021, was the issue of possible serious side-effects discussed? If so, please provide me with all information held about any such discussion(s).
According to information held, how many people (if any) may suffer serious side-effects from the Covid-19 vaccine(s) in New Zealand?
On 22 October 2020, Steven Anderson (Director, Office of Biostatistics and Epidemiology) presented various slides to the FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee. One slide, which appeared for no more than half a second, stated that there were possible adverse events from Covid-19 vaccines. The adverse events included but were not limited to:
Arthritis and arthralgia/joint pain
Convulsions/seizures
Stroke
Narcolepsy and cataplexy
Anaphylaxis
Acute myocardial infarction
Autoimmune disease
Pregnancy and birth outcomes
Kawasaki disease
Vaccine enhanced disease
Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children
Deaths
On 11 December 2020, the Food and Drug Administration in the US approved the Pfizer vaccine.
According to information held by your department, what information was produced between 22 October and 11 December 2020 to diminish concerns about the above adverse events?
Yours faithfully,
Ross Francis
From: Information [DPMC]
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
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From: Information [DPMC]
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
[IN-CONFIDENCE]
Kia ora
Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 which
was received on 18 July 2021, copied below. A response will be provided in
accordance with the Act.
The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) may publish the
response to your Official Information Act (OIA) request.
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If DPMC does publish the response to your OIA request, personal
information, including your name and contact details, will be removed.
This publication process does not apply to extension letters or transfers.
Ngā mihi,
Ministerial Coordinator
Ministerial and Business Services
Strategy, Governance and Engagement
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
E [1][DPMC request email]
[2]cid:image002.png@01D43609.296F69C0
The information contained in this email message is for the attention of
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-----Original Message-----
From: Ross Francis <[FOI #16112 email]>
Sent: Sunday, 18 July 2021 8:32 am
To: Information [DPMC] <[DPMC request email]>
Subject: Official Information request - Covid-19 Vaccines - Serious Side
Effects
Dear Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet,
New Zealand has reportedly purchased 10 million doses of Pfizer’s Covid-19
vaccine. At an estimated price of $28 per dose, the cost to New Zealand
taxpayers would be in the vicinity of $280 million. Pfizer’s profit is
estimated to be $80 million from sale of the vaccine in New Zealand.
Before it agreed to purchase the vaccine, did the New Zealand Government
ask Pfizer, or any of its representatives, to pay (either partly or fully)
for the cost of treating possible serious side-effects in New Zealand? If
so, what was the value of any suggested contribution and what was Pfizer’s
response?
During the Prime Minister’s meetings with Pfizer in 2021, was the issue of
possible serious side-effects discussed? If so, please provide me with all
information held about any such discussion(s).
According to information held, how many people (if any) may suffer serious
side-effects from the Covid-19 vaccine(s) in New Zealand?
On 22 October 2020, Steven Anderson (Director, Office of Biostatistics and
Epidemiology) presented various slides to the FDA’s Vaccines and Related
Biological Products Advisory Committee. One slide, which appeared for no
more than half a second, stated that there were possible adverse events
from Covid-19 vaccines. The adverse events included but were not limited
to:
Arthritis and arthralgia/joint pain
Convulsions/seizures
Stroke
Narcolepsy and cataplexy
Anaphylaxis
Acute myocardial infarction
Autoimmune disease
Pregnancy and birth outcomes
Kawasaki disease
Vaccine enhanced disease
Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children Deaths
On 11 December 2020, the Food and Drug Administration in the US approved
the Pfizer vaccine.
According to information held by your department, what information was
produced between 22 October and 11 December 2020 to diminish concerns
about the above adverse events?
Yours faithfully,
Ross Francis
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From: Information [DPMC]
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
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[UNCLASSIFIED]
Kia ora koe,
Please see the attached letter regarding your recent OIA request.
Ngā mihi,
Ministerial Coordinator
Ministerial and Business Services
Strategy, Governance and Engagement
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
E [1][DPMC request email]
[2]cid:image002.png@01D43609.296F69C0
The information contained in this email message is for the attention of
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communication of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. If you
are not the intended recipient you must not disclose, copy or distribute
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From: OIA Requests
Kia ora
Thank you for your request for official information received on 28 July
2021 for:
" New Zealand has reportedly purchased 10 million doses of Pfizer’s
Covid-19 vaccine. At an estimated price of $28 per dose, the cost to New
Zealand taxpayers would be in the vicinity of $280 million. Pfizer’s
profit is estimated to be $80 million from sale of the vaccine in New
Zealand.
Before it agreed to purchase the vaccine, did the New Zealand Government
ask Pfizer, or any of its representatives, to pay (either partly or fully)
for the cost of treating possible serious side-effects in New Zealand? If
so, what was the value of any suggested contribution and what was Pfizer’s
response?
During the Prime Minister’s meetings with Pfizer in 2021, was the issue of
possible serious side-effects discussed? If so, please provide me with all
information held about any such discussion(s).
According to information held, how many people (if any) may suffer serious
side-effects from the Covid-19 vaccine(s) in New Zealand?
On 22 October 2020, Steven Anderson (Director, Office of Biostatistics and
Epidemiology) presented various slides to the FDA’s Vaccines and Related
Biological Products Advisory Committee. One slide, which appeared for no
more than half a second, stated that there were possible adverse events
from Covid-19 vaccines. The adverse events included but were not limited
to:
Arthritis and arthralgia/joint pain
Convulsions/seizures
Stroke
Narcolepsy and cataplexy
Anaphylaxis
Acute myocardial infarction
Autoimmune disease
Pregnancy and birth outcomes
Kawasaki disease
Vaccine enhanced disease
Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children Deaths
On 11 December 2020, the Food and Drug Administration in the US approved
the Pfizer vaccine.
According to information held by your department, what information was
produced between 22 October and 11 December 2020 to diminish concerns
about the above adverse events? "
The Ministry's reference number for your request is: H202109625.
As required under the Official Information Act 1982, the Ministry will
endeavour to respond to your request no later than 25 August 2021, being
20 working days after the day your request was received.
If we are unable to respond to your request within this time frame, we
will notify you of an extension of that time frame.
If you have any queries related to this request, please do not hesitate to
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Ngâ mihi
OIA Services
Government Services
Office of the Director-General
Ministry of Health
E: [email address]
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From: Information [DPMC]
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
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[UNCLASSIFIED]
Kia ora koe,
Please see the attached letter regarding your recent OIA request.
Ngā mihi,
Ministerial Coordinator
Ministerial and Business Services
Strategy, Governance and Engagement
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
E [1][DPMC request email]
[2]cid:image002.png@01D43609.296F69C0
The information contained in this email message is for the attention of
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communication of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. If you
are not the intended recipient you must not disclose, copy or distribute
this message or the information in it. If you have received this message
in error, please destroy the email and notify the sender immediately.
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From: Andrew Mackintosh
Kia ora Ross
Please find attached a letter regarding your request for information.
Ngā mihi
Andrew Mackintosh
OIA Advisor | OIA Services | Office of the Director-General | Ministry of
Health
E: [1][email address]
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From: Ministerial Services
Ref: 2122-0383
Dear Ross,
On behalf of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment I
acknowledge your email of 28^th of July 2021 requesting under the Official
Information Act 1982 (the Act), the following:
“New Zealand has reportedly purchased 10 million doses of Pfizer’s
Covid-19 vaccine. At an estimated price of $28 per dose, the cost to New
Zealand taxpayers would be in the vicinity of $280 million. Pfizer’s
profit is estimated to be $80 million from sale of the vaccine in New
Zealand. Before it agreed to purchase the vaccine, did the New Zealand
Government ask Pfizer, or any of its representatives, to pay (either
partly or fully) for the cost of treating possible serious side-effects in
New Zealand? If so, what was the value of any suggested contribution and
what was Pfizer’s response?”
Your request has been transferred to the Ministry from Ministry of health
on 16^th of August 2021 and is being processed in accordance with the
Official Information Act 1982. A response will be sent to you in due
course.
If you have any enquiries regarding your request, or its urgency, feel
free to contact us via email at [1][email address].
Nâku noa, nâ
MINISTERIAL SERVICES
Ngâ Pou o te Taumaru
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
Level 4, 15 Stout Street, PO Box 1473, Wellington 6140
NZBN 9429000106078
[2]www.govt.nz - your guide to finding and using New Zealand government
services
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From: OIA Requests
Kia ora Ross
Please find attached a letter regarding your request for information.
Ngā mihi
Andrew Mackintosh
OIA Advisor | OIA Services | Office of the Director-General | Ministry of
Health
E: [1][email address]
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Statement of confidentiality: This e-mail message and any accompanying
attachments may contain information that is IN-CONFIDENCE and subject to
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If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender
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From: RSI-thehive
Good afternoon Ross,
Please see attached for MBIE’s repsonse letter to your Official
Information Act request.
Apologies for the delay in responding to you.
Kind regards,
Lisa
Lisa Seng (she/her)
Project Co-ordinator
[1]Description: Description: Description: Description: Description:
Description: Description: cid:image001.jpg@01CD1D45.D6A244C0
MINISTRY OF BUSINESS INNOVATION & EMPLOYMENT / HIKINA WHAKATUTUKI
PO Box 1473 Wellington
[2]www.govt.nz - your guide to finding and using New Zealand government
services
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