2025 NZDF documents on COVID-19 vaccine in baseline schedule, risks, recruitment impact, and reinstatement of discharged personnel
Mr Richards made this Official Information request to New Zealand Defence Force
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From: Mr Richards
Dear New Zealand Defence Force,
Under the Official Information Act 1982, please provide:The date of the next scheduled review of the NZDF baseline vaccination schedule and the criteria used to decide whether the COVID-19 primary series remains a requirement.
Any 2025 risk-benefit assessments or memos on keeping the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine in the baseline schedule, including myocarditis risks for males aged 18–35.
Any 2025 emails or memos discussing former CDC Director Robert Redfield’s statements on mRNA vaccines or the U.S. military’s January 2025 decision to drop the requirement and reinstate personnel.
2023–2025 data or reports on recruitment shortfalls linked to the vaccine requirement and any analysis of reinstating the approximately 164 discharged personnel.
If any information is withheld, please state the specific section of the Act relied on.
Thank you.
Yours faithfully,
Mr Richards
From: Ministerial Services
New Zealand Defence Force
Good afternoon Mr Richards
Your request below has been received and a decision on your request will be provided as soon as possible and no later than 29 January 2025. Responses to requests for information that are considered to be in the wider public interest will be published on the New Zealand Defence Force website (www.nzdf.mil.nz).
Regards
Corporate and Ministerial Services
Office of the Chief of Defence Force
New Zealand Defence Force | Te Ope Kātua o Aotearoa
www.nzdf.mil.nz
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From: Ministerial Services
New Zealand Defence Force
Apologies, that is 29 January 2026 not 29 January 2025.
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