Ross Francis
[FYI request #16112 email] 15 February 2022
Dear Ross
Ref: DOIA 2122-0383
I refer to your request of 28 July 2021 for the following information under the Official
Information Act 1982 (the OIA):
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?
Apologies for the delay in responding to your Official Information Act request. Due to
an administrative oversight we failed to respond to your Official Information Act
request in due time.
New Zealand did not ask Pfizer to pay either partly or fully for the treatment of
possible serious side effects from the use of its vaccine in New Zealand.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this
decision. Information about how to make a complaint is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.
Yours sincerely
Simon Rae
Manager, International Science Partnerships
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment