133 Molesworth Street
PO Box 5013
Wellington 6140
1 December 2021
New Zealand
T+64 4 496 2000
Richard McLeod
By email:
[email address]
[FYI request #17146 email]
Ref:
H202114098
Dear Richard
Response to your request for official information
Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) on 11 October 2021.
As per section 18A(2) of the Official Information Act 1982, the Ministry can combine multiple
requests that are about the same or similar subject matters, and received simultaneously or in
short succession. Please find a response to your request below.
1.
which, if any, nasal spray treatments for COVID-19 are being considered for approval
2.
what criteria are being used to determine approval of a nasal spray treatment
3.
what criteria are being used to determine rejection of a nasal spray treatment
Before Medsafe can consider a Medicine for approval the sponsor company must first send in
an application for the product which includes relevant supporting data. Medsafe has not
received any applications to date for any new medicines in a nasal spray dosage form indicated
for the treatment of COVID-19. More information about the Medsafe approval process can be
found at:
www.medsafe.govt.nz/Consumers/Safety-of-Medicines/Medsafe-Evaluation-
Process.asp
Can you please detail the policy behind why the Pfizer vaccine is exclusively approved for
rollout.
A single vaccine roll out using the Pfizer Comirnaty vaccine was chosen for a number of
reasons. These include vaccine availability, safety profile and efficacy of the Pfizer vaccine.
Alongside this, there are logistical benefits to rolling out a single vaccine to a large group,
including ease of training staff and storage of the vaccine as well as simplifying post vaccination
monitoring.
Papers on the decision to use Pfizer in the COVID-19 immunisation programme have been
proactively released – you can find them here:
https://www.health.govt.nz/about-
ministry/information-releases/release-ministerial-decision-making-documents/covid-19-
immunisation-programme-cabinet-papers-and-minutes.
I trust this 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
Joanne Gibbs
National Director, Operations
COVID-19 Vaccine and Immunisation Programme
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