133 Molesworth Street
PO Box 5013
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
T+64 4 496 2000
1 December 2021
AJ Sheppard
By email: [FYI request #17213 email]
Ref: H202114517
Tēnā koe AJ
Response to your request for official information
Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) to the Ministry of
Health (the Ministry) on 16 October 2021 for information on vaccine efficacy.
I request any and all information relating to discussion, planning or implementation in
preparation for the event of the pfizer covid vaccine failing or not producing satisfactory
protection
The data available to date shows that the Pfizer vaccine (Comirnaty) is both safe and effective
at both reducing transmission and preventing serious illness caused by Covid-19 infection. New
Zealand has arrangements to purchase four separate vaccinations, in order to ensure a diverse
portfolio of options.
I request any and all information relating to discussion, planning or implentation should a
major health or safety issue arise with the pfizer covid vaccine
Discussion, planning, and implementation should a health or safety issue arise with Comirnaty
is normal pharmacovigilance activity for all medication. You may wish to review the available
information on the Medsafe website at: https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/.
Does the MOH have a plan in place should the pfizer covid vaccine fail long term safety
trials? If so then i request all information held on this issue.
Comirnaty has long term safety information from clinical trials. Six months is a sufficient period
and this information has been assessed and incorporated into the New Zealand data sheet. The
Ministry has entered into agreements to purchase several different vaccines in order to have
alternatives in the event one vaccine was no longer available. The data sheet is available from
www.medsafe.govt.nz/profs/Datasheet/c/comirnatyinj.pdf.
I trust this information 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 website at:
www.health.govt.nz/about-ministry/information-releases/responses-official-
information-act-requests.
Nāku noa, nā
Jo Gibbs
National Director
COVID-19 Vaccine and Immunisation Programme
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