As you know, vaccination is one of the most effective tools we have to protect New Zealand from COVID-19. As we continue with our vaccine programme, we are mindful of the needs of our health care workers – those at the front line of our COVID response. We understand there is considerable interest amongst health workers about the use of booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine, and also interest in how vaccine exemptions will be issued. We wanted to take this opportunity to update you on our progress in these areas: Vaccine boosters Pfizer has published results of a study which shows a third booster dose can lift people’s immunity, in the sense of reducing the likelihood of hospitalisation or serious illness. Of note, the median time between the second and third doses in that study was 11 months. Our independent clinical and technical advisory group is currently considering this latest evidence. Medsafe is also reviewing Pfizer’s 22 October application to vary the provisional approval to include a booster vaccine. Once we have received and considered this advice, we will be able to make recommendations on the possible use and sequencing rollout out of booster doses. We expect to be able to announce a decision within the next week. Exemptions This week we announced a centralised process is being established to manage vaccine exemptions. We expect this process to be in place within the next week also, and we will notify the public and health sector as soon as it is up and running. We are mindful of the pressure health professionals are being put under to issue exemptions. The process we are introducing includes a layer of independence and objective criteria which, along with clear public messaging, should help alleviate this. We would like to thank you for your ongoing support for this important work. We will be in touch with you again shortly with further updates.
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.