133 Molesworth Street
PO Box 5013
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
T +64 4 496 2000
W www.medsafe.govt.nz
19 August 2021
Ross Francis
By email: [FYI request #16112 email]
Ref:
H202109625
Dear Ross
Response to your request for official information
Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) which was
transferred to the Ministry of Health (the Ministry) on 28 July 2021 for information relating to the
COVID-19 vaccine. Please find a response to each part of your request below:
“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?”
On 16 August 2021, this part of your request was transferred to the Ministry of Business,
Innovation and Employment (MBIE) on 16 August 2021 in accordance with section 14(b)(ii) of the
Act. You can expect a response from MBIE in due course.
“According to information held, how many people (if any) may suffer serious side-effects
from the Covid-19 vaccines in New Zealand?”
For information relating to the COVID-19 vaccine in New Zealand, please refer to the following
data sheet: www.medsafe.govt.nz/profs/Datasheet/c/comirnatyinj.pdf
“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 conditions referred to in this part of your request are known as
adverse events of special
interest (AESIs). AESIs are not known side effects, they are conditions that may turn out to be
caused by a vaccine however, it is unconfirmed. AESIs are an important part of being prepared
for safety monitoring. Weekly reports summarising the number and type of AESIs reported with
COVID-19 vaccination can be found at:
www.medsafe.govt.nz/COVID-19/vaccine-report-
overview.asp
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. Yours sincerely
Chris James
Group Manager
Medsafe
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