133 Molesworth
Street
PO Box 5013
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
T+64 4 496 2000
17 July 2023
Chris McQuoid
Email:
[FYI request #23127 email]
Ref:
H2023027039
Tēnā koe Chris
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 14 June 2023. You requested:
“I would like to know what if any rewards, incentives, grants reimbursements are
offered to gp practices giving the flu and the bivalent covid vaccine.
In addition to this I request any information on the possibility of those being passed
from the practice on to the individual employees of that practice in the form of targets
or meeting a target number or of individual bonuses I seek this part of information
specifically in relation to Three Kings Family Medical Center.
As advised on 28 June 2023 this part of your request is more closely connected to the
functions of Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand and as such was transferred to their
agency under section 14(b)(i ) of the Act. You can expect a response to this part of your
request from Te Whatu Ora in due course.
Lastly, I ask for any research that may have informed MOH on administering bivalent
and flu vaccines at the same time. In regard to latrogenic reactions or any other proof
of safety and efficacy.”
Data on co-administration of the influenza vaccine and other vaccinations can be found in
the Immunisation Handbook
https:/ www.health.govt.nz/our-work/immunisation-handbook-
2020/11-influenza. Furthermore, Medsafe continually reviews all vaccines approved for use
in New Zealand and takes appropriate action if any risks are identified, as outlined here:
https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/Consumers/Safety-of-Medicines/Vaccine-safety.asp
More information on the evidence supporting CV TAG’s recommendations regarding Pfizer’s
bivalent booster can be found here:
https:/ www.tewhatuora.govt.nz/assets/About-us/Who-we-are/Expert-groups/COVID-19-
Vaccine-Technical-Advisory-Group-CV-TAG/Decision-to-use-Pfizers-bivalent-BA.4-5-
vaccine.-COVID-19-Vaccine-Technical.pdf
More information on recommended guidelines regarding coadministration of COVID-19 and
influenza vaccines can be found here:
www.immune.org.nz/vaccine/influenza-vaccine
The evidence continues to be reviewed and updated as it emerges.
I trust this information fulfils your request. If you wish to discuss any aspect of your request
with us, including this decision, please feel free to contact the OIA Services Team on:
[email address].
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
Manatū Hauora website at:
www.health.govt.nz/about-ministry/information-
releases/responses-of icial-information-act-requests.
Nāku noa, nā
Ross Bell
Acting Deputy Director-General
Public Health Agency | Te Pou Hauora Tūmatanui
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