Printed from https://fyi.org.nz/request/18288-unite-against-covid-19-messaging-meaning-of-eligible on November 22, 2024 02:21

Unite against COVID-19 messaging: meaning of "eligible"

Mark Hanna made this Official Information request to Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet

The request was refused by Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

From: Mark Hanna

Tēnā koe,

I understand the "Unite against COVID-19" website and social media accounts are operated by the COVID-19 Group under the DPMC.

Since 20 January 2022, the "COVID-19 Update" infographics produced daily by the COVID-19 Group and shared on the @covid19nz Twitter account have reported "1st Dose" and "2nd Dose" uptake percentages for the COVID-19 vaccine using the label "% Eligible* Population" and the footnote "* eligible population includes those aged 12 and over".

At the time of writing, these three tweets have used this format of infographic:

https://twitter.com/covid19nz/status/148...
https://twitter.com/covid19nz/status/148...
https://twitter.com/covid19nz/status/148...

"COVID-19 Update" infographics shared on this account prior to January 20 2022 appear to have used a different format, where the labels used were "1st Doses*" and "2nd Doses*" and a footnote read "* Percentage of population aged 12 and over". For example:

https://twitter.com/covid19nz/status/148...
https://twitter.com/covid19nz/status/148...
https://twitter.com/covid19nz/status/148...
https://twitter.com/covid19nz/status/148...

On 17 January 2022, eligibility to receive the COVID-19 vaccination was extended from 12+ year olds to include 5-11 year olds: https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/gove...

"This will happen from 17 January. There are 476,000 children between ages 5-11 who will become eligible to get their first dose from this date, and their second dose at least eight weeks later."

I would like to request all documents, including correspondence, regarding the decision to use the label "% Eligible* Population", with a footnote providing a definition of "eligible" that is inconsistent with the relevant eligibility rules, in the "COVID-19 Update" infographics shared by the @covid19nz Twitter account from 20 January 2022 onwards.

I hope the COVID-19 Group will also consider updating the format of their "COVID-19 Update" infographics to use labels that are accurate and not misleading. Where the Ministry of Health has continued to report on vaccination rates of the 12+ population it has used the label "12+" instead of "eligible":

https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/dise...

I appreciate the work that the COVID-19 Group puts into keeping the public updated and as prepared as we can manage for a potential outbreak of the Omicron variant of COVID-19. But I also think it is important that these updates be produced in a way that will not mislead anyone.

Ngā mihi,
Mark Hanna

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From: Information [DPMC]
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet

Tēnā koe 

 

Thank you for emailing the Department of the Prime Minister and
Cabinet (DPMC), including the National Emergency Management
Agency (NEMA).   

Please note, DPMC is not able to respond to emails that are
outside its purview. If the subject of your email does not relate to the
work of DPMC, we will forward your email to the appropriate Minister
or agency who will respond to you directly. To find out more about the
functions of DPMC please view our website - [1]https://dpmc.govt.nz/ 

 

If your correspondence is intended for the Prime Minister please email her
office at - [2][email address]. Contact information for other
Members of Parliament can be found at
- [3]https://www.parliament.nz/en/get-involve...

If you are writing about an issue relating to COVID-19, we encourage you
to first refer to the [4]COVID-19 website. Here’s a list of links that you
may find helpful: 

o [5]Current Alert Level
o [6]Latest Government COVID-19 information
o [7]Jobs, training and financial support
o [8]Travel and the border
o [9]Mental wellbeing, accessing health care and violence protection
o [10]Information for businesses
o [11]Proactive release of Government Response documents
o [12]Managed Isolation and Quarantine 

If you are showing symptoms of COVID-19, please call your local GP or
contact the Healthline team on 0800 358 5453

Common Questions:

* Official Information Act (OIA) Requests will be formally acknowledged
during office hours and actioned accordingly. For more information
about the statutory OIA timeframes please see
- [13]http://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/.
* For Job opportunities within DPMC please see
- [14]https://centralagenciesjobs.cass.govt.nz.... Please use
this website to apply for vacancies, unfortunately resumes received
through other avenues will not be considered.
* New Zealand Visas and requests for asylum are managed by Immigration
New Zealand. Please see - [15]https://www.immigration.govt.nz/. 

We hope one of the above links helps answer your question.  

We appreciate your patience at this time. Thanks again and please take
care.

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From: Information [DPMC]
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet

[IN-CONFIDENCE]

Kia ora

Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 which was received on 22 January 2022, copied below. A response will be provided in accordance with the Act.

The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) may publish the response to your Official Information Act (OIA) request.

When you are provided with a response to this request, you will be informed about whether the response to your OIA request will be published. If DPMC does publish the response to your OIA request, personal information, including your name and contact details, will be removed. This publication process does not apply to extension letters or transfers.

Ngā mihi,

Ministerial Coordinator
Ministerial and Business Services
Strategy, Governance and Engagement
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet

E    [DPMC request email]

The information contained in this email message is for the attention of the intended recipient only and is not necessarily the official view or communication of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. If you are not the intended recipient you must not disclose, copy or distribute this message or the information in it. If you have received this message in error, please destroy the email and notify the sender immediately.

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From: Information [DPMC]
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet

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Attachment Hanna Response.pdf
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[UNCLASSIFIED]

 

Kia ora koe,

 

Please see the attached letter regarding your recent OIA request.

 

Ngā mihi,

 

Ministerial Coordinator
Ministerial and Business Services
Strategy, Governance and Engagement
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
E    [1][DPMC request email]
 
[2]cid:image002.png@01D43609.296F69C0
 
The information contained in this email message is for the attention of
the intended recipient only and is not necessarily the official view or
communication of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. If you
are not the intended recipient you must not disclose, copy or distribute
this message or the information in it. If you have received this message
in error, please destroy the email and notify the sender immediately.

 

 

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