Kia ora Robyn,
Thank you for your email. Your district health board (DHB), Health
Provider or GP will be able to help you with your query, as they will be
directly involved with your daughter's vaccination. DHB websites can be
found on the Ministry of Health website
here: [1]www.health.govt.nz/new-zealand-health-system/key-health-sector-organisations-and-people/district-health-boards/district-health-board-websites.
The Immunisation Advisory Centre (IMAC) has published a report including
mitigation strategies for clients with a fear of needles, which may be
useful to you. This can be found here:
[2]www.immune.org.nz/sites/default/files/resources/Written%20Resources/IMAC_Needle_Phobia_Factsheet_20210809.pdf 

 

More information can be found here:
[3]www.immune.org.nz/resources/written-resources/fear-needles-or-needle-phobia-august-2021 

At present, the only method of vaccination is the Pfizer
vaccine. Information regarding the vaccine approval process can be found
here:  [4]https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/COVID-19/vac....

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: [5][email address] or by calling 0800
802 602. 

 

Ngā mihi 

OIA Services Team 

  

[6]Ministry of Health information releases 

[7]Unite against COVID-19 

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From: Robyn Kane <[FOI #17194 email]>
Sent: Friday, 15 October 2021 08:56
To: OIA Requests <[email address]>
Subject: Official Information request - Teen with Needle phobia
 
Dear Ministry of Health,

I'm writing to you on behalf of my 14 year old daughter. She has a chronic
needle phobia which stems from a bad experience with an Epi pen.  She
understands the importance of getting the Covid vaccination and we have
tried twice now, however her fear takes over at the last stage and she
can't go through with the injection.  Both attempts my daughter has used
breathing techniques to calm down and taken Lorozapam.

We have two questions for you:-

Firstly - we can't be the only family in NZ with this issue, we are
struggling to find information about help offered to people with a needle
phobia.  Is there anywhere we can go that can mildly sedated my daughter 
to have the vaccination?  If this was an option it would be a massive game
changer for us.

Secondly - moving forward with new developments that are being made around
the covid vaccination will New Zealand be open to approving a Nasal or
tablet form of the covid vaccination.
There are a number of trials overseas that are making amazing  process
with Nasal sprays forms of the vaccination.

Thank you for your time

Yours faithfully,
R Kane

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