133 Molesworth Street
PO Box 5013
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
T+64 4 496 2000
26 April 2023
Erika Whittome
By email: [FYI request #22471 email]
Ref:
H2023023609
Tēnā koe Erika
Response to your request for official information Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) to Manatū Hauora
(the Ministry of Health) on 16 April 2023. You requested:
“Please would you share the “Commercially Reasonable Efforts” details on the
contract you have with Pfizer for supplying Comirnaty to New Zealand. I request the details in this contract on the efforts Pfizer are delivering as part of this contract on 1 Medicine safety, 2 Medicine efficacy and 3 pharmocovil igance.”
The contracts between Pfizer and the New Zealand Government are withheld in full under the
following sections of the Act:
• Section 9(2)(b)(ii) as its release would likely unreasonably prejudice the commercial
position of the person who supplied the information.
• 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.
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. However, information
regarding the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine can be found on the Ministry of Health
website at the following links:
• The Coronavirus Immunisation handbook:
www.health.govt.nz/our-work/immunisation-
handbook-2020/5-coronavirus-disease-covid-19. This also provides references to
scientific studies conducted regarding COVID-19 and the vaccine.
• The vaccine datasheet:
www.medsafe.govt.nz/profs/Datasheet/c/comirnatyinj.pdf
• Medsafe also publishes up to date information regarding the Comirnaty vaccine,
including its clinical efficacy and safety:
www.medsafe.govt.nz/profs/PUArticles/June2021/Spotlight-on-Comirnaty-vaccine.html.
• Manatū Hauora webpage regarding vaccine safety and efficacy:
www.health.govt.nz/our-
work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-vaccines/covid-19-
vaccine-effectiveness-and-protection.
• Manatū Hauora Science News page for up to date information regarding COVID-19 and
the Vaccine:
www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and
• Information about Medsafe’s process for vaccine safety monitoring:
www.medsafe.govt.nz/COVID-19/monitoring-process.asp.
Furthermore, independent safety monitoring has also been in place since February 2021 to
monitor and provide advice on the safety of COVID-19 vaccines. More information can be found
here:
www.health.govt.nz/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-vaccines/covid-19-vaccine-
information-health-professionals/covid-19-vaccine-strategy-planning-insights/covid-19-who-
were-working#ismb.
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.
Nāku noa, nā
Jan Torres
Manager, OIA Services Government and Executive Services l Te Pou Whakatere Kāwanatanga
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