New Zealand Purchases Enough Covid-19 Vaccines To Help Out Six Pacific Island Nations ^Featured

Jacinda Ardern has confirmed four vaccines will be heading their way, from AstraZeneca, Novavax Pfizer/BioNTech and Janssen, and there will be enough for every Kiwi resident to receive two doses.

They have also purchased enough for residents to cover the Realm of New Zealand (Tokelau, Niue, Cook Islands) as well as its Polynesian neighbours Samoa, Tonga and Tuvalu.

Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta said the government has set aside $75 million to pay for the additional vaccines and the rollout.

"New Zealand is pursuing a portfolio of potential Covid-19 vaccines to ensure we have flexibility and choice in the fast-moving global marketplace," she said.

"We want to make sure Pacific countries can also access suitable options, and have the support they need to run successful immunisation campaigns."

Prime Minister Ardern said the vaccines must first be approved by Medsafe, while healthcare, border and essential workers will be the first to be vaccinated.

"Our aim is to then commence vaccination of the general public in the second half of the year. All vaccine roll out will be dependent on Medsafe sign off and speed of manufacture."

Minister of Health Andrew Little has revealed authorities have given Medsafe extra powers to make the vaccine approval process faster.

"Pfizer and BioNTech and Janssen have already started to submit data, and timing around Medsafe's approval process depends on many factors, such as the data that companies provide and whether it meets internationally agreed criteria for safety and efficacy," he said.

"Medsafe has streamlined its assessment processes and is prioritising the assessment of Covid-19 vaccines over other pharmaceuticals to obtain a vaccine more quickly, but there will be no compromise on the safety of the vaccine. Medsafe will remain in close contact with its Australian counterpart throughout."

Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said that never in New Zealand's history has an immunisation programme been done on this scale.

Workers are trying to make sure there will be enough people available to actually administer the vaccine and they are working around the clock to provide as much information about the jab.

Jacinda Ardern is making sure there will be plenty of vaccines for people in Tokelau, Niue, Cook Islands, Samoa, Tonga and Tuvalu.