The information below sets out dates, science advice and decisions specifically relating to COVID-19 vaccines, mandates and young people.
Wider records of COVID-19 response advice are available on government websites including the following pages:
- COVID-19 proactive releases – DPMC website
- COVID-19 immunisation programme Cabinet papers and minutes
9 February 2021: Cabinet approves the use of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine Cominarty for people aged 16 and over following Medsafe approval.
21 June 2021: Medsafe approves the use of Cominarty for people aged 12–15
21 July 2021: COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group (CV TAG) provide advice on myocarditis following vaccination.
4 August 2021: CV TAG provide additional advice on vaccinating 12–15 year olds
13 August 2021: CV TAG provide further advice supporting vaccination for 12–15 year olds
16 August 2021: Cabinet approves use of Cominarty for 12–15 year olds
11 October 2021: Cabinet agrees on requiring health care workers to be fully vaccinated
18 October 2021: Cabinet agrees on the use of vaccine passes for people aged 12 years and three months and older.
- Cabinet paper and minute: COVID-19: Confirming a Strategy for a Highly Vaccinated New Zealand (PDF, 1.2 MB) – DPMC website
3 November 2021: Minister for COVID-19 Response agrees to amendments to the vaccination order.
5 November 2021: CV TAG provides advice on the definition of ‘fully vaccinated’ for the purposes of mandates, noting that ‘CV TAG is concerned about vaccine mandates requiring younger age groups (eg, ≤18 years) to be fully vaccinated. Consideration should be given to permitting younger people who have had one dose to be permitted to work or undertake other activities covered by the mandate.’
10 November 2021: Director-General of Health approves definition of ‘fully vaccinated’, noting CV TAG’s views.
12 November 2021: Minister for COVID-19 Response agrees to further amendments of the vaccination order.
9 December 2021: CV TAG provides further advice stating their position on requiring two doses of Comirnaty to fulfil vaccine mandates in under 18 year olds.
15 December 2021: CV TAG recommends the use of a Pfizer COVID-19 paediatric vaccine for children aged 5–11, subject to Medsafe approval.
16 December 2021: Medsafe approve Pfizer COVID-19 paediatric vaccine for children aged 5–11
20 December 2021: Cabinet approves the use of paediatric vaccine for children aged 5–11
22 December 2021: Ministry of Health reports to Minister for COVID-19 Response seeking agreement to amendments to vaccination order, noting CV TAG’s 5 November advice. Associate Minister of Health approves on 7 January 2022.
21 February 2022: Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet seek agreement to changes to education vaccination order.
- Report to Minister: COVID-19 Response: Options for Ensuring Children’s Access to Extracurricular Activities (PDF, 2.9 MB) – DPMC website
24 February 2022: Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet seek further clarification on education settings.
- Report to Minister: Further Advice: Children’s Access to Extracurricular Activities (PDF, 4.2 MB) – DPMC website
February – March 2022: Ministry of Health reports back to Cabinet reviewing impact of vaccination for children, quoting CV TAG’s 9 December advice.
21 March 2022: Cabinet agrees to disestablish most vaccine mandates effective as at 4 April 2022.
