133 Molesworth Street
PO Box 5013
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
T+64 4 496 2000
10 April 2026
John Armstrong
By email: [FYI request #34025 email]
Ref: H2026079942
Tēnā koe John
Response to your request for official information
Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) to the Ministry of
Health – Manatū Hauora (the Ministry) on 10 March 2026. You requested:
“Copies of all briefing papers, risk assessments, recommendations, and advisory
documents produced by or for the Ministry of Health between 1 January 2021 and 31
December 2022 relating to the administration of COVID-19 vaccines to individuals aged
12–17.
This request includes, but is not limited to:
• recommendations for or against vaccination of this age group
• safety and risk assessments relating to vaccination of individuals aged 12–17
• international guidance or comparative advice relied upon by the Ministry
• any discussion of uncertainties, contraindications, or policy alternatives.
Please include draft and final versions of any briefing documents where available.”
The requested information is already publicly available. Please see the links below for the
information:
• COVID-19 Immunisation Programme Cabinet Papers and Minutes:
www.health.govt.nz
/information-releases/covid-19-immunisation-programme-cabinet-papers-and-minutes
• COVID-19 Trends and Insights Reports, December 2021-September 2022:
www.health.govt.nz/information-releases/covid-19-trends-and-insights-reports-
december-2021-september-2022
• Inquiry into the Operation of the COVID-19 Public Health Response Act 2020, report of
the Finance and Expenditure Committee:
selectcommittees.parliament.nz/view/S
electCommitteeReport/99cf4200-c1df-4904-836c-90b2c1dd74b0
• Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet COVID-19 Proactive Releases:
www.dpmc.govt.nz/our-programmes/other-work/historical-programmes/covid-19-
proactive-releases
COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group documents
• Memo 21 July 2021, Myocarditis following vaccination:
www.tewhatuora.govt.nz/
assets/About-us/Who-we-are/Expert-groups/COVID-19-Vaccine-Technical-Advisory-
Group-CV-TAG/Myocarditis-following-vaccination.pdf
• Memo 25 March 2021, The use of COVID-19 vaccines in children younger than 16
years:
www.tewhatuora.govt.nz/assets/About-us/Who-we-are/Expert-groups/COVID-19-
Vaccine-Technical-Advisory-Group-CV-TAG/25-March-2021.pdf
• Memo 24 June 2021, Decision to use the Pfizer mRNA COVID-19 vaccine for children
aged 12-15 years:
www.tewhatuora.govt.nz/assets/About-us/Who-we-are/Expert-
groups/COVID-19-Vaccine-Technical-Advisory-Group-CV-TAG/Decision-to-use-the-
Pfizer-mRNA-COVID-19-vaccine-for-children-aged-12-15.pdf
• Memo 4 August 2021, Priority groups for vaccination among 12-15 year olds:
www.tewhatuora.govt.nz/assets/About-us/Who-we-are/Expert-groups/COVID-19-
Vaccine-Technical-Advisory-Group-CV-TAG/Priority-groups-for-vaccination-among-12-
to-15-year-olds.pdf
• Memo 13 August 2021, Extending age groups who can receive COVID-19 vaccine:
www.tewhatuora.govt.nz/assets/About-us/Who-we-are/Expert-groups/COVID-19-
Vaccine-Technical-Advisory-Group-CV-TAG/Extending-age-groups-who-can-receive-
COVID-19-vaccine.pdf
• Memo 5 November 2021, New Zealand definition of fully vaccinated for use inside the
New Zealand border:
www.tewhatuora.govt.nz/assets/About-us/Who-we-are/Expert-
groups/COVID-19-Vaccine-Technical-Advisory-Group-CV-TAG/New-Zealand-definition-
of-fully-vaccinated-for-use-inside-the-New-Zealand.pdf
• Memo 9 December 2021, Vaccination mandates in those under 18 years of age:
tewhatuora.govt.nz/assets/About-us/Who-we-are/Expert-groups/COVID-19-Vaccine-
Technical-Advisory-Group-CV-TAG/Vaccination-mandates-in-those-under-18-years-of-
age.pdf
• Memo 21 February 2022, The use of booster vaccinations in 12-17-year-olds:
www.tewhatuora.govt.nz/assets/About-us/Who-we-are/Expert-groups/COVID-19-
Vaccine-Technical-Advisory-Group-CV-TAG/The-use-of-booster-vaccinations-in-1217-
year-olds.pdf
• Memo 25 August 2022, Decision to use the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine (Nuvaxovid) in
those aged 12-17 years:
www.tewhatuora.govt.nz/assets/About-us/Who-we-are/Expert-
groups/COVID-19-Vaccine-Technical-Advisory-Group-CV-TAG/Decision-to-use-the-
Novavax-COVID-19-vaccine-Nuvaxovid-in-those-aged-12-17.pdf
Owing to the public interest in this information, the Ministry has prepared a release of other key
documents relating to the COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group advice about
vaccinating 12–17-year-olds. This includes the requested information, as well as further material
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including relevant Cabinet papers, CV TAG memos and reports, and a timeline of decisions
relating to Covid-19 vaccines and young people.
The information has been published on the following webpage
www.health.govt.nz/information-
releases/covid-19-vaccine-recommendations-and-requirements-for-people-aged-under-18-
years. Please note that some information may be withheld under section 9 of the Act.
Once you have seen this release, you are welcome to make another OIA request if there is
additional official information you are seeking.
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
Ministry website at:
www.health.govt.nz/about-ministry/information-releases/responses-official-
information-act-requests.
Nāku noa, nā
Dr Andrew Old
Deputy Director-General Public Health Agency and Mental Health Group
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