Thank you for your Official Information Act request. This is
an automatic reply to let you know we received it.

In accordance with the Act, we'll let you know our decision within no more
than 20 working days. If you'd like to calculate the timeframe, you can
use the Ombudsman's online calculator
here: [1]http://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/

Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic response, the Ministry is experiencing
significantly higher volumes of queries and requests for information. This
means we may take some time in responding to your request. The Ministry
regularly updates information about the COVID-19 situation and publishes
OIA responses considered to be of public interest:
[2]https://www.health.govt.nz/about-ministr...

Please also refer to the Unite Against Covid-19 website for copies of
papers, minutes, and key advice for the decisions the Government has made
relating to COVID-19.

Sometimes we may need to clarify aspects of a request. You can expect to
hear from us soon if that is the case here.

Ngā mihi,

 

OIA Services

Government Services

Office of the Director-General

Ministry of Health

E: [3][email address]

 

 

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Kia ora Mike,

 

Thank you for your request for official information. The Ministry's
reference number for your request is: H202200477.  

 

As required under the Official Information Act 1982, the Ministry will
endeavour to respond to your request no later than 20 working days after
the day your request was received. If you'd like to calculate the
timeframe, you can use the Ombudsman's online calculator
here: [1]http://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/

 

Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic response, the Ministry is experiencing
significantly higher volumes of queries and requests for information. If
we are unable to respond to your request within this time frame, we will
notify you of an extension of that time frame.

 

If you have any queries related to this request, please do not hesitate to
get in touch.

 

Ngā mihi

 

OIA Services

Government Services

Office of the Director-General

Ministry of Health

E: [2][email address]

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Mike Hunua <[FOI #18271 email]>
Sent: Thursday, 20 January 2022 2:38 pm
To: OIA Requests <[email address]>
Subject: Official Information request - AstraZeneca and Alternative
Vaccines Information

 

Dear Ministry of Health,

 

1) How many AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in NZ
since it was approved.

 

2) What was the rationale to put in place barriers for those people who
didn't want a pfizer COVID-19 vaccine by only offering AstraZeneca later
on in the vaccination program and not at the start for those who didn't
want a Pfizer vaccine. I understand the effectiveness of pfizer is better
but why did the Ministry put in place barriers such as prescriptions, and
reasons other than personal choice for people to have AstraZeneca
administered to them when it is widely used overseas when I would of
thought any vaccine is better than not being vaccinated at all.

 

3) Does the ministry plan to roll out other Medsafe approved vaccines such
as Jassen and Novavax to the NZ public, if not why have they been
approved?

 

4) Is Medsafe or the MOH currently or planning to approve any other
COVID-19 vaccines for NZ such as Moderna?

 

5) What is the purpose of prescriptions for people that want AstraZeneca
boosters?

 

Yours faithfully,

Mike Hunua

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------

 

This is an Official Information request made via the FYI website.

 

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:

[3][FOI #18271 email]

 

Is [4][Ministry of Health request email] the wrong address for Official Information
requests to Ministry of Health? If so, please contact us using this form:

[5]https://scanmail.trustwave.com/?c=15517&...

 

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
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If you find this service useful as an Official Information officer, please
ask your web manager to link to us from your organisation's OIA or LGOIMA
page.

 

 

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3. mailto:[FOI #18271 email]
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6. https://scanmail.trustwave.com/?c=15517&...

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Kia ora Mike,

 

Thank you for your request for official information, received on 20
January 2022 requesting:

 

 1. How many AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in NZ
since it was approved.
 2. What was the rationale to put in place barriers for those people who
didn't want a pfizer COVID-19 vaccine by only offering AstraZeneca
later on in the vaccination program and not at the start for those who
didn't want a Pfizer vaccine. I understand the effectiveness of pfizer
is better but why did the Ministry put in place barriers such as
prescriptions, and reasons other than personal choice for people to
have AstraZeneca administered to them when it is widely used overseas
when I would of thought any vaccine is better than not being
vaccinated at all.
 3. Does the ministry plan to roll out other Medsafe approved vaccines
such as Jassen and Novavax to the NZ public, if not why have they been
approved?
 4. Is Medsafe or the MOH currently or planning to approve any other
COVID-19 vaccines for NZ such as Moderna?
 5. What is the purpose of prescriptions for people that want AstraZeneca
boosters?

 

The Ministry of Health has decided to extend the period of time available
to respond to your request under section 15A of the Official Information
Act 1982 (the Act) as consultation necessary to make a decision on your
request is such that a proper response cannot reasonably be made within
the normal 20 working day time limit. The Ministry of Health will reply to
your request by no later than 9 March 2021, earlier if possible.

 

You have the right, under section 28 of the Act, to ask the Ombudsman to
review my decision to extend the time available to respond to your
request.

 

Ngā mihi

OIA Services
Government Services
Office of the Director-General
Ministry of Health
E: [1][email address]

 

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Kia ora Mike,
Please see attached the response to your OIA request.

Ngā mihi

 

OIA Services Team

 

[1]Ministry of Health information releases

[2]Unite against COVID-19

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