Thank you for your Official Information Act request. This is
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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
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OIA responses considered to be of public interest:
[2]https://www.health.govt.nz/about-ministr...

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Ngā mihi,

OIA Services

Government Services

Office of the Director-General

Ministry of Health

E: [3][email address]

 

 

 

 

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Kia ora Kristina,

Thank you for your email. 

 

Please note the Ministry of Health does not conduct scientific research or
studies. Please refer to online scientific studies for further
information: [1]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ or [2]h...

Please refer to the updated page on the Ministry of Health website
regarding information on the use of face masks in the
community: [3]https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/dise....

The Ministry also regularly updates the Science News page for up to
date information regarding COVID-19 and the
Vaccine: [4]https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/dise...

The evidence indicates that the use of masks/face coverings in the
community provide benefit in reducing SARS-CoV-2 infection. A [5]rapid
review from the Republic of Ireland that found that “the evidence within
this rapid evidence update points towards face mask use in the community
providing a potentially beneficial effect in reducing SARS-CoV-2
infection, alongside a lack of evidence of significant harm associated
with their use.”   

 

This rapid review included the following evidence: A [6]rapid review from
Norway concludes that there is evidence that medical facemasks can protect
people from respiratory infections in community settings. This conclusion
was based on 13 observational studies, the majority of which found a
benefit from the use of masks; A [7]scientific brief^1 from the CDC
concludes that research supports the use of masks in the community to
reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and that the benefit is derived from a
combination of source control and personal protection.

 

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

 

Ngâ mihi

 

OIA Services Team

 

[9]Ministry of Health information releases

[10]Unite against COVID-19

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From: Kristina Weston <[FYI request #18485 email]>
Sent: Tuesday, 8 February 2022 15:49
To: OIA Requests <[email address]>
Subject: Official Information request - Short and long term effects of
prolonged mask wearing in children
 
Dear Ministry of Health,

I would like to request evidence based information on short and long term
effects of prolonged mask wearing in children.

Yours faithfully,

Kristina Weston

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

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FYI request #18485 email]

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

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6. https://www.fhi.no/globalassets/dokument...
7. https://mohgovtnz.sharepoint.com/sites/H...
8. mailto:[email address]
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