133 Molesworth Street
PO Box 5013
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
T+64 4 496 2000
23 March 2022
Mary Hobbit
By email: [FYI request #18657 email]
Ref:
H202203043
Tēnā koe Mary
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 February 2022 for information regarding the COVID-19 Vaccine
Technical Advisory Group (CV-TAG). You asked for:
‘The minutes from their latest meeting
When their next meeting is schedule’
The latest CV-TAG meeting was held on 8 March 2022. However, the meeting minutes for that
meeting are yet to be finalised. As such the Ministry is providing you a copy of the latest
available CV-TAG meeting minutes, which was from the meeting held on the 15 February 2022.
Please find this attached to this letter.
Please note some information has been withheld under the following sections of the Act:
•
9(2)(k) to prevent the disclosure or use of official information for improper gain or
advantage; and
I have considered the countervailing public interest in release in making this decision and
consider that it does not outweigh the need to withhold at this time.
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 of Health website at:
www.health.govt.nz/about-ministry/information-releases.
Nāku noa, nā
Dr Ian Town
Chief Science Advisor
Chair, COVID-19 Vaccine-Technical Advisory Group
MINUTES: COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group
Date:
Tuesday 15 February 2022
Time:
11:00am to 12:00pm
Location:
9(2)(g)(ii)
Chair:
Ian Town
Members:
Danny de Lore, David Murdoch, Elizabeth Wilson, Helen Petousis-Harris, James
Ussher, Nikki Moreland, Owen Sinclair, Peter McIntyre, Sean Hanna, Tony Walls
Andi Shirtcliffe, Brooke Hollingshead, Chrisel e Braganza, Daniel Bernal, Edwin
ACT 1982
Ministry of Health Attendees:
Reynolds, Frances Graham, Juliet Rumball-Smith, Mariana Traslosheros Reyes,
Niki Stefanogiannis, Pippa Scott, Sean Driver
Guests:
Rāwā Mahu Karetai Wood-Bodley, Marion Leighton, Alison Cossar, Amy
Alexander, Maria Cotter, Kate Taptiklis, Declan Sua
Apologies:
Ian Frazer, Nikki Turner, Sue Crengle Caroline McElnay, Fiona Cal aghan,
Imogen Roth, John Tait, Patricia Joseph
INFORMATION
Welcome and Previous Minutes
1.0
Ian Town welcomed all Members and Attendees and Guests in his capacity as Chair of the COVID-19
Vaccine Technical Advisory Group (CV TAG).
Minutes of the last meeting (08 February 2022) were accepted.
Vaccine Rollout
2.0
An update was provided on the vaccine rollout.
• First and second doses are high, around 4 mil ion. Most DHBs have reached the target set by
MOH, except Northland.
• It was noted that paediatric doses were not as high as anticipated, and this was discussed further
in point 3.0.
• Approximately 2 mil ion booster doses have been administered.
Equity and the Vaccine Rol out
3.0
RELEASED UNDER THE OFFICIAL
• Representatives from the disability and equity teams at the Ministry of Health summarised some of
the chal enges in the vaccine rollout and specifically for 5-11-year-olds, and their approaches to
address these issues.
• In the vaccine rol out, it has been observed that people living with disabilities have a preference for
going with family or friends to general COVID-19 vaccination centres or events, rather than
attending specialised rollout events, but tailored events are stil effective.
• The significantly lower uptake among tamariki Māori was very concerning to CV TAG, particularly
given the assurances given.
• Approximately 26% of tamariki Māori are vaccinated, which is markedly lower than the national 5–
11-year-old coverage of 45%. Pacific 5-11-years-old have a coverage of around 36%. The rates
varied between regions.
• Concern was also raised about uptake being lower among Māori 18-49-year-olds. This might be a
consequence of poor access to healthcare in this group because of higher rates of living in
transient housing, higher rates of poverty, and lack of transport.
• While there are community-led programmes targeting each of these groups, there is stil work
underway to engage these communities through mainstream services. The ability for mainstream
services and the health system as they stand to reach Māori without significant changes was
queried.
• The equity team identified a gap in availability of vaccination outside of work hours. It is likely that
routinely using schools as vaccination sites and having more clinics/pharmacies open after hours
would increase uptake among tamariki Māori.
• Funding has also been approved to assist with any workforce capacity issues due to Omicron and
an increase in demand on boosters. Schools have indicated they wil be better placed to engage in
the paediatric roll out in about 2 weeks.
ACT 1982
Booster Doses in 12-17 year-olds
4.0
Draft recommendations on whether 12-17-year-olds should receive booster doses were discussed.
• Draft recommendations were shared for CV TAG to consider, which proposed boosters only be
administered to those with underlying health conditions, and for those who live with a vulnerable or
immunocompromised household member. These would be offered at 3 months after the primary
course with a broader decision made for this age group at a later date.
INFORMATION
• It was argued that Māori and Pacific young people need to be included for boosters due to
epidemiology in NZ and the greater risk of severe disease and hospitalisation in this group.
• Differences between the two age subgroups (16-17yo and 12-15yo) were discussed. It was noted
that there is a small amount of trial data about boosters in 16–17-year-olds, but none for younger
ages.
• It was noted that the UK, US and Australia have recommended that al 16-17-year-olds be offered
boosters. This option could be considered in NZ, with only high-risk 12-15-year-olds offered
boosters.
• It was noted that there are many 16 and 17 year olds who are out of school or in the workforce
and who may be at high risk of exposure.
• There are limited data about boosters for this age group. Medsafe are expecting an application
soon for boosters in this age group for Pfizer. AstraZeneca is not currently authorised for use in
th s age group.
• The concern around mandates for this group was noted.
• The purpose of offering boosters in this age group
RELEASED UNDER THE OFFICIAL was queried, as severe disease is already
unlikely. Boosting this age group to reduce transmission would need data to back this up.
• Reference to the sequencing framework wil be removed as this is now outdated.
• Recommendations wil be redrafted and shared with CV TAG for approval in the coming days.
Dosing interval for 5-11-year-olds
5.0
• International and local safety data were shared with CV TAG. Revised recommendations were
shared with CV TAG, which proposed that second doses proceed, and that these be given at 8
