Strategic Framework for COVID-19 Variants of Concern
Scott made this Official Information request to Ministry of Health
The request was successful.
From: Scott
Dear Ministry of Health,
A document recently published on the Ministry website is referred to as being a "summary" prepared for Cabinet of a document called the "Strategic Framework for COVID-19 Variants of Concern." The summary can be acccessed here:
https://www.health.govt.nz/covid-19-nove...
I would like to request a copy of the actual Strategic Framework (i.e., not the summary).
Yours faithfully,
Scott
From: OIA Requests
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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From: OIA Requests
Kia ora Scott,
Thank you for your request for official information. The Ministry's
reference number for your request is: H202208294.
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
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From: Scott <[FOI #19739 email]>
Sent: Thursday, 23 June 2022 16:50
To: OIA Requests <[email address]>
Subject: Official Information request - Strategic Framework for COVID-19
Variants of Concern
Dear Ministry of Health,
A document recently published on the Ministry website is referred to as
being a "summary" prepared for Cabinet of a document called the "Strategic
Framework for COVID-19 Variants of Concern." The summary can be acccessed
here:
[4]https://www.health.govt.nz/covid-19-nove...
I would like to request a copy of the actual Strategic Framework (i.e.,
not the summary).
Yours faithfully,
Scott
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6. https://scanmail.trustwave.com/?c=15517&...
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From: OIA Requests
Kia ora Scott,
Thank you for your request for official information, received on X 2022
requesting:
“A document recently published on the Ministry website is referred to as
being a "summary" prepared for Cabinet of a document called the "Strategic
Framework for COVID-19 Variants of Concern." The summary can be acccessed
here:
https://www.health.govt.nz/covid-19-nove...
I would like to request a copy of the actual Strategic Framework (i.e.,
not the summary)."
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, 18 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
Ngâ mihi
OIA Services Team
M[1]inistry of Health information releases
U[2]nite against COVID-19
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From: OIA Requests
Kia ora Scott,
Plese find a response to your request for information.
Ngā mihi
OIA Services Team
M[1]inistry of Health information releases
U[2]nite against COVID-19
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From: Scott
Dear Ministry of Health,
Thank you for your response. I would like to make a follow up request. I would like to request:
ONE: On page 6 of the summary of the COVID-19 Variants of Concern Strategic Framework published on the Ministry website, a “Surge Response Plan” is referred to:
“The Ministry, alongside hospitals, agency partners (MBIE and MSD) and industry, is developing an emergency response COVID-19 surge playbook to stand up mass vaccination and testing sites, expedite deployments of surge medical and emergency personnel, expand hospital and community capacity and emergency facilities, and provide emergency supplies including PPE and access to welfare supports (food and housing).”
I would like to request a copy of this “Surge Response Plan”. I would also like to request a copy of the “emergency response COVID-19 surge playbook” if it is different to the Surge Response Plan.
TWO: On page 2 a “strategy for the COVID-19 health response over the medium to long-term” is referred to:
“…the Strategic Framework sits within a wider strategic context which includes… the development of a strategy for the COVID-19 health response over the medium to long-term, focused on recovery and building resilience, which provides strategic guidance for the health system and wider All-of-Government response to COVID-19.”
I would like to request a copy of this “COVID-19 medium to long-term strategy”.
THREE: On page 6 a COVID-19 Vaccine Strategy is referred to:
“Work continues on… developing a vaccine strategy that will support rapid supply and roll-out of any new vaccines.”
I would like to request a copy of this vaccine strategy.
FOUR: The non-summary version of the Framework refers to “Variant Plans” for the health response to the emergence of a Variant of Concern (quote on page 40):
https://fyi.org.nz/request/19739/respons...
“Determine appropriate plan for implementation if virus is not contained… Provide advice and options considered to Ministers on the selected Variant Plan and timeframe for activation”
If any of these “Variant Plans” for the approaches to responding to the different hypothetical Variant of Concern scenarios have been produced, I would like to request copies of them.
Yours sincerely,
Scott
From: OIA Requests
Kia ora Scott,
Thank you for your request for official information. The Ministry's
reference number for your request is: H2022010649.
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/
If you have any queries related to this request, please do not hesitate to
get in touch.
Ngā mihi
OIA Services Team
M[2]inistry of Health information releases
U[3]nite against COVID-19
------------------- Original Message -------------------
From: Scott <[FOI #19739 email]>;
Received: Fri Aug 19 2022 15:02:48 GMT+1200 (New Zealand Standard Time)
To: OIA Requests <[email address]>; OIA <[email address]>;
Subject: Re: Response to your official information act request, ref:
H2022005565
Dear Ministry of Health,
Thank you for your response. I would like to make a follow up request. I
would like to request:
ONE: On page 6 of the summary of the COVID-19 Variants of Concern
Strategic Framework published on the Ministry website, a “Surge Response
Plan” is referred to:
“The Ministry, alongside hospitals, agency partners (MBIE and MSD) and
industry, is developing an emergency response COVID-19 surge playbook to
stand up mass vaccination and testing sites, expedite deployments of surge
medical and emergency personnel, expand hospital and community capacity
and emergency facilities, and provide emergency supplies including PPE and
access to welfare supports (food and housing).”
I would like to request a copy of this “Surge Response Plan”. I would also
like to request a copy of the “emergency response COVID-19 surge playbook”
if it is different to the Surge Response Plan.
TWO: On page 2 a “strategy for the COVID-19 health response over the
medium to long-term” is referred to:
“…the Strategic Framework sits within a wider strategic context which
includes… the development of a strategy for the COVID-19 health response
over the medium to long-term, focused on recovery and building resilience,
which provides strategic guidance for the health system and wider
All-of-Government response to COVID-19.”
I would like to request a copy of this “COVID-19 medium to long-term
strategy”.
THREE: On page 6 a COVID-19 Vaccine Strategy is referred to:
“Work continues on… developing a vaccine strategy that will support rapid
supply and roll-out of any new vaccines.”
I would like to request a copy of this vaccine strategy.
FOUR: The non-summary version of the Framework refers to “Variant Plans”
for the health response to the emergence of a Variant of Concern (quote on
page 40):
[4]https://scanmail.trustwave.com/?c=15517&...
“Determine appropriate plan for implementation if virus is not contained…
Provide advice and options considered to Ministers on the selected Variant
Plan and timeframe for activation”
If any of these “Variant Plans” for the approaches to responding to the
different hypothetical Variant of Concern scenarios have been produced, I
would like to request copies of them.
Yours sincerely,
Scott
-----Original Message-----
Kia ora Scott,
Plese find a response to your request for information.
Ngā mihi
OIA Services Team
M[1]inistry of Health information releases
U[2]nite against COVID-19
References
Visible links
1. [5]https://www.health.govt.nz/about-ministr...
2.
[6]https://scanmail.trustwave.com/?c=15517&...
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Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
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From: OIA Requests
Tçnâ koe Scott,
Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the
Act) to Manatû Hauora (Ministry of Health) on 19 August 2022. Please find
a response to each part of your request.
“I would like to request a copy of this “Surge Response Plan”. I would
also like to request a copy of the “emergency response COVID-19 surge
playbook” if it is different to the Surge Response Plan.
I would like to request a copy of this “COVID-19 medium to long-term
strategy.
If any of these “Variant Plans” for the approaches to responding to the
different hypothetical Variant of Concern scenarios have been produced, I
would like to request copies of them”
Information relating to these parts of your request are withheld in full
under section 9(2)(f)(iv) of the Act to maintain the constitutional
conventions that protect the confidentiality advice tendered by Ministers
and officials. Manatû Hauora and Te Whatu Ora has 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 would like to request a copy of this vaccine strategy.”
This information is publicly available on the Government’s Unite Against
COVID-19 website at:
[1]www.covid19.govt.nz/assets/Proactive-Releases/proactive-release-2020-june/PAPER-COVID-19-Vaccine-Strategy.pdf.
Further information regarding the COVID-19 Vaccine strategy, planning and
insights can be found at:
[2]www.health.govt.nz/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-vaccines/covid-19-vaccine-information-health-professionals/covid-19-vaccine-strategy-planning-insights.
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: [3][email address] or by calling 0800
802 602.
Ngâ mihi
OIA Services Team
M[4]inistry of Health information releases
U[5]nite against COVID-19
****************************************************************************
Statement of confidentiality: This e-mail message and any accompanying
attachments may contain information that is IN-CONFIDENCE and subject to
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If you are not the intended recipient, do not read, use, disseminate,
distribute or copy this message or attachments.
If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender
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References
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2. http://www.health.govt.nz/covid-19-novel...
3. mailto:[email address]
4. https://www.health.govt.nz/about-ministr...
5. https://covid19.govt.nz/
hide quoted sections
From: Scott
Dear Ministry of Health,
Thank you for your reply. On the point of parts One, Two and Four of my request that you have rejected citing 9(2)(f)(iv), I intend to ask the office of the Ombudsman to review your decision. There is clearly an overriding public interest in the publication of these documents which I don't believe you properly considered.
On the point of part Three of my request, for a copy of the vaccine strategy referred to in this passage of the COVID-19 Variants of Concern framework summary:
"Work continues on… developing a vaccine strategy that will support rapid supply and roll-out of any new vaccines.”
Unfortunately your response shows that you have misinterpreted my request. As the passage I cited when I submitted my request makes clear, the "vaccine strategy" I have requested a copy of was part of the Ministry's Variants of Concern response, and was still in development as at the time the Variants of Concern Strategic Framework was released (i.e. as at May or June this year). The Cabinet paper you have sent me a link to is dated May 2020 - clearly this is a different "vaccine strategy".
Please kindly provide me a response for my request for a copy of the specific vaccine strategy that I requested. As this was an error on your end - I think I made it perfectly clear what vaccine strategy I was after - I would appreciate if you provided me with your response on this promptly.
Yours sincerely,
Scott
From: OIA Requests
Kia ora Scott,
Thank you for your follow up request for official information. The
Ministry's reference number for your request is: H2022012935.
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/
If you have any queries related to this request, please do not hesitate to
get in touch.
Ngā mihi
OIA Services Team
M[2]inistry of Health information releases
U[3]nite against COVID-19
------------------- Original Message -------------------
From: Scott <[FOI #19739 email]>;
Received: Mon Sep 19 2022 12:33:29 GMT+1200 (New Zealand Standard Time)
To: OIA Requests <[email address]>; OIA <[email address]>;
Subject: Re: Response to your official information act request, ref:
H2022010649
Dear Ministry of Health,
Thank you for your reply. On the point of parts One, Two and Four of my
request that you have rejected citing 9(2)(f)(iv), I intend to ask the
office of the Ombudsman to review your decision. There is clearly an
overriding public interest in the publication of these documents which I
don't believe you properly considered.
On the point of part Three of my request, for a copy of the vaccine
strategy referred to in this passage of the COVID-19 Variants of Concern
framework summary:
"Work continues on… developing a vaccine strategy that will support rapid
supply and roll-out of any new vaccines.”
Unfortunately your response shows that you have misinterpreted my request.
As the passage I cited when I submitted my request makes clear, the
"vaccine strategy" I have requested a copy of was part of the Ministry's
Variants of Concern response, and was still in development as at the time
the Variants of Concern Strategic Framework was released (i.e. as at May
or June this year). The Cabinet paper you have sent me a link to is dated
May 2020 - clearly this is a different "vaccine strategy".
Please kindly provide me a response for my request for a copy of the
specific vaccine strategy that I requested. As this was an error on your
end - I think I made it perfectly clear what vaccine strategy I was after
- I would appreciate if you provided me with your response on this
promptly.
Yours sincerely,
Scott
-----Original Message-----
Tçnâ koe Scott,
Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the
Act) to Manatû Hauora (Ministry of Health) on 19 August 2022. Please find
a response to each part of your request.
“I would like to request a copy of this “Surge Response Plan”. I would
also like to request a copy of the “emergency response COVID-19 surge
playbook” if it is different to the Surge Response Plan.
I would like to request a copy of this “COVID-19 medium to long-term
strategy.
If any of these “Variant Plans” for the approaches to responding to the
different hypothetical Variant of Concern scenarios have been produced, I
would like to request copies of them”
Information relating to these parts of your request are withheld in full
under section 9(2)(f)(iv) of the Act to maintain the constitutional
conventions that protect the confidentiality advice tendered by Ministers
and officials. Manatû Hauora and Te Whatu Ora has 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 would like to request a copy of this vaccine strategy.”
This information is publicly available on the Government’s Unite Against
COVID-19 website at:
[http://scanmail.trustwave.com/?c=15517&a...
Further information regarding the COVID-19 Vaccine strategy, planning and
insights can be found at:
[2]www.health.govt.nz/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-vaccines/covid-19-vaccine-information-health-professionals/covid-19-vaccine-strategy-planning-insights.
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: [3][email address] or by calling 0800
802 602.
Ngâ mihi
OIA Services Team
M[4]inistry of Health information releases
U[5]nite against COVID-19
References
Visible links
1.
[4]http://scanmail.trustwave.com/?c=15517&a...
2.
[5]http://www.health.govt.nz/covid-19-novel...
3. [6]mailto:[email address]
4. [7]https://www.health.govt.nz/about-ministr...
5.
[8]https://scanmail.trustwave.com/?c=15517&...
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #19739 email]
Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
[9]https://scanmail.trustwave.com/?c=15517&...
If you find this service useful as an Official Information officer, please
ask your web manager to link to us from your organisation's OIA or LGOIMA
page.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
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If you are not the intended recipient, do not read, use, disseminate,
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2. https://www.health.govt.nz/about-ministr...
3. https://covid19.govt.nz/
4. http://scanmail.trustwave.com/?c=15517&a...
5. http://www.health.govt.nz/covid-19-novel...
6. mailto:[email
7. https://www.health.govt.nz/about-ministr...
8. https://scanmail.trustwave.com/?c=15517&...
9. https://scanmail.trustwave.com/?c=15517&...
hide quoted sections
From: OIA Requests
Kia ora Scott,
Please find attached a response to your request for information.
Ngā mihi
OIA Services Team
Manatū Hauora | Ministry of Health
M[1]inistry of Health information releases
U[2]nite against COVID-19
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