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]

 

 

 

 

show quoted sections

References

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1. http://scanmail.trustwave.com/?c=15517&a...
2. https://www.health.govt.nz/about-ministr...
3. mailto:[email address]

Kia ora Chris,

 

Thank you for your request for official information received on 11 March
for:

 

"Please provide any and all decision making, reporting, recommendations,
correspondence as to why the Ministry of Health is now changing the way
Covid-19 deaths are recorded.  All of the names and persons involved and
the justification for it.  As I understand it the deaths will be broken
into three categories.  

 

Those where it is clear that Covid-19 was the cause of death Those who had
(or were subsequently found to have) Covid-19 when they died, but their
cause of death was clearly not Covid-19 related And those who cause of
death was still being investigated – such as it is being reviewed by the
Coroner – but it is known that they had Covid-19 when they died.

 

Can you also please provide the vaccine deaths in a similar format.

 

Those where it is clear that the vaccine was the death.

Those who had (or were subsequently found to have) had the vaccine when
they died, but their cause of death was not vaccine related or there is a
question mark (think we are in excess of 2,000 within 21 days of vaccine -
can you please provide the COD for these people plus the 137 people who
died but it was never the vaccine) And those whose cause of death was
still being investigated Ultimately can you provide in a similar format
the summary of reported deaths from the vaccine and the observed versus
expected deaths within 21 days of vaccine similar to how you will do this
for the virus.

 

The Medsafe reports also state that there was not enough information to
assess 64 deaths from the vaccine.  What is the cause of death and where
are these deaths being recorded.”

 

A secondary request for official information was received on 11 March 2022
for:

 

“Can you please also provide all of the people that have died from
Covid-19 since the vaccine roll out and provide their vaccination status.

 

As a scenario can the MOH please consider the following.

 

Pfizers latest report stated 4.6% of people that obtained the vaccine as a
serious side effect developed Covid-19

 

How does the Ministry of Health determine how the person transmitted the
virus.  For example

 

- Any unlinked cases, are these in vaccinated given Covid is a vaccine
side effect”

 

The Ministry of Health has consolidated your requests under reference
number: H202203833.

 

As required under the Official Information Act 1982, the Ministry will
endeavour to respond to your request no later than 8 April 2022, being 20
working days after the day your first request was received.

 

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.

 

Ngâ mihi

 

OIA Services

Government Services

Office of the Director-General

Ministry of Health

E: [1][email address]

 

show quoted sections

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]

Kia ora Chris

Thank you for your request for official information, received on 11 March
2022 requesting:

Please provide any and all decision making, reporting, recommendations,
correspondence as to why the Ministry of Health is now changing the way
Covid-19 deaths are recorded. All of the names and persons involved and
the justification for it. 

As I understand it the deaths will be broken into three categories. Those
where it is clear that Covid-19 was the cause of death Those who had (or
were subsequently found to have) Covid-19 when they died, but their cause
of death was clearly not Covid-19 related And those who cause of death was
still being investigated – such as it is being reviewed by the Coroner –
but it is known that they had Covid-19 when they died. Can you also please
provide the vaccine deaths in a similar format. Those where it is clear
that the vaccine was the death. Those who had (or were subsequently found
to have) had the vaccine when they died, but their cause of death was not
vaccine related or there is a question mark (think we are in excess of
2,000 within 21 days of vaccine - can you please provide the COD for these
people plus the 137 people who died but it was never the vaccine) And
those whose cause of death was still being investigated Ultimately can you
provide in a similar format the summary of reported deaths from the
vaccine and the observed versus expected deaths within 21 days of vaccine
similar to how you will do this for the virus.

Can you please also provide all of the people that have died from Covid-19
since the vaccine roll out and provide their vaccination status. As a
scenario can the MOH please consider the following. Pfizers latest report
stated 4.6% of people that obtained the vaccine as a serious side effect
developed Covid-19.

How does the Ministry of Health determine how the person transmitted the
virus?  For example, any unlinked cases, are these in vaccinated given
Covid is a vaccine side effect.

The Medsafe reports also state that there was not enough information to
assess 64 deaths from the vaccine.  What is the cause of death and where
are these deaths being recorded?

 

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 further consultation is required.

You can now expect a response to your request on, or before, 26 April
2022.

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.

Ngâ mihi

 

OIA Services Team

 

[1]Ministry of Health information releases

[2]Unite against COVID-19

 

 

show quoted sections

References

Visible links
1. https://www.health.govt.nz/about-ministr...
2. https://covid19.govt.nz/

Kia ora Chris,
Please find attached a response to your official information act request

Ngā mihi

 

OIA Services Team

 

[1]Ministry of Health information releases

[2]Unite against COVID-19

show quoted sections

References

Visible links
1. https://www.health.govt.nz/about-ministr...
2. https://covid19.govt.nz/

Kia ora Chris ,

Thank you for your request for official information. The Ministry's
reference number for your request is: H202205723. 

 

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]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 Team

 

[2]Ministry of Health information releases

[3]Unite against COVID-19

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

From: Chris McCashin <[FOI #18841 email]>
Sent: Wednesday, 27 April 2022 12:48
To: OIA Requests <[email address]>
Subject: Re: Response to your official information act request (ref.
H202203833)
 
Dear OIA Requests,

Thank-you for this response.  The documents that you provided information
in them was redacted due to this being "out of scope".  Please un-redact
this information and provide this in full.  To reclarify my request please
provide the following

27 January 2022 Memo: Adapting COVID-19 Surveillance, Intelligence and
Contact Tracing Reporting and Data Management for Omicron.

15 February 2022 Memo: COVID-19 Reporting: Phase 2 of the Omicron Strategy

18 March 2022 Memo: COVID-19 Hospitalisation Rate and Mortality Data

You also stated that "Misinformation" is in the public sphere?

Can the Ministry of Health please provide the definition of
"Misinformation"

Would a verified Pfizer document be classed as misinformation? - their own
document states that

Adverse Events Reported > 2% of cases - Infestations and Infections -
COVID-19

Covid-19 as per Pfizer's own reporting has been documented as being a
adverse reaction to the vaccine.  What part of this information is not
understood by the Ministry of Health?

How can you say this is misinformation when it comes from their documents?

Yours sincerely,

Chris McCashin

show quoted sections

Kia ora Chris

Thank you for your request for official information, received on 27 April
2022 requesting:

 

“The documents that you provided information in them was redacted due to
this being "out of scope". Please un-redact this information and provide
this in full. To reclarify my request please provide the following

27 January 2022 Memo: Adapting COVID-19 Surveillance, Intelligence and
Contact Tracing Reporting and Data Management for Omicron.
15 February 2022 Memo: COVID-19 Reporting: Phase 2 of the Omicron Strategy
18 March 2022 Memo: COVID-19 Hospitalisation Rate and Mortality Data
You also stated that "Misinformation" is in the public sphere?
Can the Ministry of Health please provide the definition of
"Misinformation"
Would a verified Pfizer document be classed as misinformation? - their own
document states that
Adverse Events Reported > 2% of cases - Infestations and Infections -
COVID-19
Covid-19 as per Pfizer's own reporting has been documented as being a
adverse reaction to the vaccine. What part of this information is not
understood by the Ministry of Health?
How can you say this is misinformation when it comes from their
documents?"

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 further consultation is required.

You can now expect a response to your request on, or before, 21 June
2022. 

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 Team

 

[1]Ministry of Health information releases

[2]Unite against COVID-19

show quoted sections

References

Visible links
1. https://www.health.govt.nz/about-ministr...
2. https://covid19.govt.nz/

Kia ora Chris

 

Please find attached the response to your request for information

 

Ngā mihi 

  

OIA Services Team 

  

[1]Ministry of Health information releases 

[2]Unite against COVID-19 

 

show quoted sections

References

Visible links
1. https://www.health.govt.nz/about-ministr...
2. https://covid19.govt.nz/

Kia ora Chris,  

  

Thank you for your request for official information. The Ministry's
reference number for your request is: H202208295.  

  

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 Team 

  

[2]Ministry of Health information releases 

[3]Unite against COVID-19 

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

From: Chris McCashin <[FOI #18841 email]>
Sent: Monday, 27 June 2022 12:20
To: OIA Requests <[email address]>
Subject: Re: Response to your request for official information, ref:
H202205723
 
Dear OIA Requests,

Just a follow up on this - is the below excerpt from the Medsafe reports
"misinformation"?
Is this Pfizer report "misinformation"?
[4]https://scanmail.trustwave.com/?c=15517&...

Summary of reported deaths
Up to and including 30 April 2022, a total of 160 deaths were reported to
CARM after the administration of the Comirnaty vaccine. Following medical
assessments by CARM and Medsafe it has been determined that:

99 of these deaths are unlikely related to the COVID-19 vaccine
48 deaths could not be assessed due to insufficient information
10 cases are still under investigation.
3 deaths were likely due to vaccine induced myocarditis (awaiting
Coroner’s determination)

The above also states that there were 48 deaths that could not be assessed
due to insufficient information.  Are you able to provide how these deaths
are recorded? Please provide the policy documents associated with
recording deaths that could not be assessed due to insufficient
information.

How are these deaths categorised?

Cause of death unknown?
Unexplained?
Sudden Adult Death Syndrome?

What dataset will they be categorised in?

Depending on what dataset they are categorised in are you able to provide
that dataset from 2000-2022

Thanks in advance

Yours sincerely,

Chris McCashin

show quoted sections

Kia ora Chris,

Thank you for your request for official information, received on 27
June 2022 requesting:

“Just a follow up on this (H202205723) - is the below excerpt from the
Medsafe reports "misinformation"?

Is this Pfizer report "misinformation"?
https://scanmail.trustwave.com/?c=15517&...
Summary of reported deaths
Up to and including 30 April 2022, a total of 160 deaths were reported to
CARM after the administration of the Comirnaty vaccine. Following medical
assessments by CARM and Medsafe it has been determined that:
99 of these deaths are unlikely related to the COVID-19 vaccine
48 deaths could not be assessed due to insufficient information
10 cases are still under investigation.
3 deaths were likely due to vaccine induced myocarditis (awaiting
Coroner’s determination)
The above also states that there were 48 deaths that could not be assessed
due to insufficient information.  Are you able to provide how these deaths
are recorded? Please provide the policy documents associated with
recording deaths that could not be assessed due to insufficient
information.
How are these deaths categorised?
Cause of death unknown?
Unexplained?
Sudden Adult Death Syndrome?
What dataset will they be categorised in?
Depending on what dataset they are categorised in are you able to provide
that dataset from 2000-2022"

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 consultations are necessary to make a decision on
the request are such that a proper response to the request cannot
reasonably be made within the original time limit.

You can now expect a response to your request on, or before, 22 August
2022.

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.

Ngâ mihi 

  

OIA Services Team 

M[1]inistry of Health information releases 
U[2]nite against COVID-19 

show quoted sections

References

Visible links
1. https://www.health.govt.nz/about-ministr...
2. https://covid19.govt.nz/

Kia ora Chris
Please find attached a response to your request for official information

Ngā mihi 

  

OIA Services Team 

M[1]inistry of Health information releases 
U[2]nite against COVID-19 

show quoted sections

References

Visible links
1. https://www.health.govt.nz/about-ministr...
2. https://covid19.govt.nz/