4 February 2026
Spencer Jones
[FYI request #33349 email]
Tēnā koe Spencer
Your request for official information, reference: HNZ00107053
Thank you for your email which partially transferred by the Ministry of Health to Health New
Zealand on 16 January 2026, asking for the following under the Official Information Act 1982 (the
OIA):
Part C – Te Whatu Ora consent framework
5. Any national policies, templates, or guidance issued to DHBs or Te Whatu Ora
concerning:
•
vaccination consent forms;
•
minimum information requirements for consent; and
•
how vaccination consent aligns with the Code of Health and Disability Services
Consumers’ Rights.
6. Any internal reviews or evaluations addressing whether existing vaccination consent
practices meet statutory and ethical requirements.
Response
Training regarding informed consent is provided as part of training provided by the Immunisation
Advisory Centre (IMAC). Informed consent is also covered within the Immunisation Handbook,
Chapter 2.1.2 which is publicly available her
e: www.tewhatuora.govt.nz/for-health-
professionals/clinical-guidance/immunisation-handbook/2-processes-for-safe-immunisation/#2-1-
pre-vaccination.
Please note that in addition to this, vaccinators would also have received training around informed
consent as part of their individual professional training.
The Immunisation Handbook, as referenced above, provides guidelines for vaccination and
informed consent which are based on the best scientific evidence available at the time of
publication, from published and unpublished literature. The handbook is reviewed and updated
regularly.
Health NZ is not aware of any stand-alone reviews or evaluations addressing existing vaccination
consent processes. Therefore, this part of your request is refused under section 18(e) of the OIA
as the information doesn’t exist.
How to get in touch
If you have any questions, you can contact us at
[email address].
If you are not happy with this response, you have the right to make a complaint to the
Ombudsman. Information about how to do this is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or
by phoning 0800 802 602.
As this information may be of interest to other members of the public, Health NZ may proactively
release a copy of this response on our website. Al requester data, including your name and
contact details, wil be removed prior to release.
Nāku iti noa, nā
Sara Freitag Manager, Government Services
TeWhatuOra.govt.nz
Health NZ, PO Box 793,
Wel ington 6140, New Zealand
