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133 Molesworth Street
PO Box 5013
Wellington 6140
14 March 2022
New Zealand
T +64 4 496 2000
H Cooper
By em ai I: fyi-req uest-18048-eceb3cd 5@req uests.fyi. org. nz
Ref:
H202200073
Tena koe H Cooper
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 24 December 2021 for information regarding COVID-19 vaccine
exemptions.
Please find a response to each part of your request below. These figures are accurate as of 14
February 2022.
Could you please advise the total number of medical exemptions granted by MOH for
those working within industries covered by the government's Covid 19 vaccine mandates.
The total number of temporary medical exemptions granted by the Director-General of Health
for those who have indicated they are covered by a Vaccinations Order (VO) is 254.
Could you also please advise the total number of medical exemptions declined for those
working within industries covered by the government's Covid 19 vaccine mandates.
The total number of temporary medical exemptions declined by the Director-General of Health
for those who have indicated they are covered by a VO is 151.
Please note that the figures provided above are based on data taken from the temporary
medical exemption application forms submitted to the Ministry. All application forms must be
submitted by a medical or nurse practitioner on behalf of their patient, as members of the public
cannot apply for an exemption for themselves. The application forms ask the medical or nurse
practitioner submitting the application to indicate whether their patient is covered by a VO. As
these figures are based on self-reporting, it is possible that other applications have been
received on behalf of people working within industries subject to a VO.
For any medical exemptions that have been granted, what medical conditions do they
cover?
To be granted a temporary medical exemption, applications must be covered by the following
clinical criteria: https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/documents/pages/vaccine-temporary
medical-exemotion-clinical-criteria-clinical-guidance-resources-includes-application-form-for
med ica-p ractitioner-or-nu rse-practitioner-to-com plete-u pdated-jan-27 -2022. pdf.
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
i nformation-act-req ues ts.
Naku noa, na
Director
National Immunisation Programme
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