New Zealand to get 1.5 million Covid-19 Vaccines

Covid-19 Vaccine that the world has been waiting for, is likely to be available to New Zealanders over the next six months.

Research, Science and Innovation Minister Dr Megan Woods and Health Minister Chris Hipkins have signed an Agreement with Pfizer and BioNTech, two leading pharmaceutical companies, for supply of 1.5 million Covid-19 Vaccines, which are likely to arrive in the country by the first quarter in 2021.

The Vaccines would be sufficient for 750,000 people but the Agreement will be subject to clinical trials and regulatory approvals.

Multi-Pronged Approach

Dr Woods said that this is the first tranche of work in a multi-pronged approach to ensure that the Vaccine is available to New Zealanders.

“Pfizer have said that they are making good progress with the development of a Covid-19 Vaccine.

The Agreement with Pfizer is complementary to other aspects of the government’s Covid-19 Vaccine Strategy, such as the global COVAX Facility that could provide up to 50% of our population’s needs. A key aim of our portfolio approach is to ensure that we have flexibility and choice when it comes to securing the right vaccines for New Zealand and our Pacific neighbours,” she said.

Dr Woods said that Covid-19 Vaccine Strategy Task Force is currently negotiating with other pharmaceutical companies, and further announcements are expected in November. 

Negotiation with other suppliers

“The Agreement with Pfizer and BioNTech is the first of a number of negotiations underway as a part of our portfolio approach, and good progress is being made in relation to other purchasing negotiations. The additional agreements will ensure that once the portfolio is completed, we will have sufficient Covid-19 Vaccines for the whole population,” she said.

Decisions on who would receive access to the first available vaccines have yet to be made.

Mr Hipkins said that the Health Ministry is currently working to determine the details of the Immunisation Programme.

Suitability being studied

A number of factors will influence who will receive what vaccines and when, such as trial data on the suitability of each vaccine for certain age groups,” he said.

Mr Hipkins said that the government has allocated $66.3 million for medical supplies and infrastructure to ensure that New Zealand is ready to launch a Covid-19 Immunisation Programme as soon as a safe and effective Vaccine is available.

“Most of this investment will pay for sufficient supplies to support New Zealand and Pacific Realm countries; supplies such as PPE, needles, syringes and swabs, and freezers to store a vaccine,” Mr Hipkins said.

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