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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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,  

  

Thank you for your request for official information received on 19 May
2022 for: 

  

"What the agreement is between our govt and Pfizer re the buying of the
Pfizer Covid vaccine.
Also what would be the consequence of our not taking all we ordered as it
really does not stop you getting Covid or stop transmission or
hospitalisations" 

  

The Ministry's reference number for your request is: H202206647.  

  

As required under the Official Information Act 1982, the Ministry will
endeavour to respond to your request no later than 17 June 2022, being 20
working days after the day your 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. 

 

Ngā mihi

 

OIA Services Team

 

[1]Ministry of Health information releases

[2]Unite against COVID-19

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References

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

Kia ora S Carey

 

Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the
Act) on 19 May 2022 to the Ministry of Health (the Ministry) for
information regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. Each part of your request is
responded to below:

 

As a tax paying citizen I would like to know exactly what the agreement is
between our govt and Pfizer re the buying of the Pfizer Covid vaccine.

 

The Ministry is unable to provide you with a copy of the Pfizer
contract due to commercial sensitivity. Therefore, your request is
withheld under the following sections of the Official Information Act 1982
(the Act): 

o Section 9(2)(b)(ii) as its release would likely unreasonably prejudice
the commercial position of the person who supplied the information.   
o Section 9(2)(ba)(ii) to protect information that is subject to an
obligation of confidence and making it available would likely damage
the public interest. 

Although the Ministry appreciates the high degree of public interest in
its vaccination programme and the Pfizer vaccine, this does not outweigh
the need to protect the commercial sensitivity of the information in the
agreement. 

There is a large amount of information publicly available about the
vaccine, including on the Medsafe website here:
[1]www.medsafe.govt.nz/COVID-19/medicine-approval-process.asp 

 

Also what would be the consequence of our not taking all we ordered as it
really does not stop you getting Covid or stop transmission or
hospitalisations  ... neither is it safe and effective so in reality it
does not work. I want to know exactly what NZ Govt. has signed up for on
my behalf.

 

While the Act allows New Zealanders to ask for information from Ministers
and government agencies, there is no requirement for agencies to create
new information, compile information they do not hold or provide or prove
an opinion. Your questions and the statements that support them appear
designed to engage in a debate about the Government’s COVID-19 vaccination
programme, rather than a request for official information. The Act does
not support requests where an opinion, comment, argument, or hypothetical
statement is put to the Ministry for response, couched as a request for
information. These questions are therefore refused under section 18(g) of
the Act on the grounds that the information sought is not held by the
Ministry. 

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: [2][email address] or by phone on 0800
802 602. 

 

Ngā mihi

 

OIA Services Team

 

[3]Ministry of Health information releases

[4]Unite against COVID-19

 

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References

Visible links
1. http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/COVID-19/medi...
2. mailto:[email address]
3. https://www.health.govt.nz/about-ministr...
4. https://covid19.govt.nz/