19 September 2023
Daniel Richards
Via email: fyirequest24148[email address]
Tēnā koe Daniel
Request for information: Availability of COVID19 XBB Vaccines
Thank you for your request dated 15 September 2023 under the Official Information Act 1982
(OIA) for information relating to COVID19 vaccinations. You requested:
Moderna, Pfizer, and Novavax have released COVID19 vaccines targeting the
XBB variants, see the FDA release: https://www.fda.gov/vaccinesblood
biologics/updatedcovid19vaccinesuseunitedstatesbeginningfal 2023
Wil New Zealand be getting any of the above XBB variant vaccines?
If so, when?
If so, what wil the eligibility criteria be?
We have received this request through the FYI website, as an OIA. However, it’s not clear
what documents you are seeking, however, we have considered whether we hold any
information that could be considered in scope. We have determined that we don’t hold any
documents of a relevant nature to your enquiry. Therefore, we are declining your request
under section 18(g) of the Official Information Act, as Pharmac does not hold any relevant
information.
In general, Pharmac's approach to funding new COVID19 vaccines wil be to consider
international recommendations on the antigen composition of COVID19 vaccines and the
vaccines that have Medsafe approval. We understand that Medsafe expects applications
from Pfizer and other suppliers for updated variant vaccines soon.
We trust that this information answers your queries. Please note, you have the right to make
a complaint to the Ombudsman about our response to your OIA, under section 28(3) of the
OIA. Details of
how to make a complaint are on the Ombudsman’s website.
Nāku noa, nā
Al anah Andrews
Manager, Policy and Government Services
202324048; A1716330