Dear Ministry of Health,

Pursuant to the Official Information Act 1982, I am seeking comprehensive and detailed information concerning the exemptions granted in relation to the Covid-19 vaccination strategy. My primary focus is on the Ministry of Health staff and associated contractors, considering the importance of their roles in the public health sector. My requests are as follows:

1. Detailed criteria employed to determine eligibility for vaccine exemptions, including any documentation or guidelines used in the evaluation process.

2. A comprehensive breakdown of vaccine exemptions granted. This should include data segmented by roles (e.g., medical professionals, administrative personnel, contractors) within the Ministry of Health.

3. The rationale or reasons documented for granting these exemptions, especially for key positions or roles that have significant public health responsibilities within the Ministry.

4. Information elucidating any differential or distinct criteria applied to Ministry of Health staff and contractors compared to the general New Zealand public when assessing vaccine exemption requests.

5. Internal communications, directives, memos, or guidelines circulated within the Ministry of Health regarding the decision-making process for granting exemptions. I'm also interested in any guidance regarding how to communicate or not communicate these decisions to the public and media.

6. A description of mechanisms or checks put in place to ensure the exemption process's transparency, fairness, and consistency, especially considering potential public perceptions of preferential treatment for Ministry staff.

7. Specifics about any appeals or reviews initiated against exemption decisions within the Ministry, the review process, and the outcomes of these reviews.

8. Correspondence, emails, or documented discussions highlighting concerns, feedback, or objections from within the Ministry, other governmental departments, or external entities about the exemption process or the number of exemptions granted.

9. Statistical data indicating the total number of Ministry of Health staff and contractors who applied for exemptions, the number granted, the number denied, and any trends, patterns, or anomalies observed in these decisions.

10. Insights into any operational impacts, challenges, or changes to service delivery within the Ministry of Health due to the number of staff or contractors receiving exemptions. This includes any contingency plans or adjustments made in response.

11. Any studies, evaluations, or reviews undertaken (internally or externally) assessing the potential public health implications or risks associated with the number of vaccine exemptions granted within the Ministry.

I value the transparency and responsiveness that the Official Information Act upholds. I anticipate a comprehensive and timely response to these queries. If there are any ambiguities or the need for further clarification arises, I am available for further discussion.

Yours faithfully,

Lance D. Lavery

Tēnā koe,

I am writing to follow up on the response to my Official Information Act request dated 13 October 2023, regarding the exemptions related to the COVID-19 vaccination strategy. The information provided, or rather the lack thereof, has raised significant concerns and prompts me to seek further clarification.

For your reference, my original request aimed to gather comprehensive information on the vaccine exemptions granted, particularly focusing on Ministry staff and contractors. This entailed requesting information on the exemption criteria, decision-making processes, and the management and communication of these decisions within the Ministry. The response indicating that such information "does not exist" is unexpected, given the importance and public interest in these matters. Accurate record-keeping is a cornerstone of transparent and accountable governance, and its absence in this instance is both surprising and concerning.

Considering this, I kindly request a review of your previous response. If possible, I would appreciate any further information or context the Ministry can provide regarding the vaccine exemption process. I believe that a deeper understanding of the situation will be beneficial for both parties involved.

I would appreciate your assistance in providing a more comprehensive and detailed response to each of the points raised in my original request. I am open to discussing this matter further if needed, to ensure a clear and complete understanding.

Nāku nā,

Lance D. Lavery