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antonknee
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  #2709379 19-May-2021 01:10
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KrazyKid:
sbiddle:

 

The issue is a massive one - much like the fact the lock down last year was illegal for the first 9 days.

 

 

 

It's not so much the implications that are the problem in this case (because the judge refused to grant an order stopping the vaccine rollout) but the fact our laws and health orders given under the health act have either been drafted poorly or have not followed the law.

 



They people who took this case, what were they trying to achieve? Was it pricing a technical point, a matter of legal principle, or were they trying to stop the vaccine program.

If it was the last surely they expected the government to legislate of they won and nothing to change.

 

It’s technical in nature and just proving a point in a sense - but I for one think it’s actually very good the actions of our government and officials are tested and held to account in the courts. It’s a great backstop against becoming a banana republic. 

 

The practical implications are essentially nil, and it’s certainly not a massive issue practically speaking - but it’s important that these things happen and it goes to show our government and officials need to take more care with these things to ensure they’re watertight. 


 
 
 
 

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Handle9
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  #2709381 19-May-2021 01:46
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antonknee:

 

KrazyKid:

They people who took this case, what were they trying to achieve? Was it pricing a technical point, a matter of legal principle, or were they trying to stop the vaccine program.

If it was the last surely they expected the government to legislate of they won and nothing to change.

 

It’s technical in nature and just proving a point in a sense - but I for one think it’s actually very good the actions of our government and officials are tested and held to account in the courts. It’s a great backstop against becoming a banana republic. 

 

 

Not in this case - Nga Kaitiaki Tuku Ihu Medical Action Society Incorporated are anti vax nutters.

 

In the case of the previous law suit I completely agree.


Batman

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  #2709383 19-May-2021 05:54
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Scott3:

Handle9:

This is also very good

https://www.wired.com/story/the-teeny-tiny-scientific-screwup-that-helped-covid-kill/


That article is a great read.


 


The below WHO tweet is terrible with hindsight, "FACT:" in capital letters, then a statement that is now proven false.


And an image below that which asks people to help stop misinfomation, and to verify facts before sharing... 


https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1243972193169616898


 


Still credit to the WHO for keeping these tweets live, and updating their official advice more recently regarding airborne transmission.



If only the WHO listened to Taiwan from the very very beginning.... Instead of this...

But instead we got coronavirus 70000000000000000 politics 0

*big sigh*



frankv
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  #2709481 19-May-2021 09:19
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KrazyKid:
sbiddle:

 

The issue is a massive one - much like the fact the lock down last year was illegal for the first 9 days.

 

It's not so much the implications that are the problem in this case (because the judge refused to grant an order stopping the vaccine rollout) but the fact our laws and health orders given under the health act have either been drafted poorly or have not followed the law.

 



They people who took this case, what were they trying to achieve? Was it pricing a technical point, a matter of legal principle, or were they trying to stop the vaccine program.

If it was the last surely they expected the government to legislate of they won and nothing to change.

 

I read it, but it wasn't all that clear to me. But my understanding is that Section 23 of the Medicines Act allows the government/MedSafe to provisionally approve medicines to be made available to a "group" of people. The judge said that "all people 16 and over", which the covid approval is for, does not meet the definition of "group". This decision affects a few other medications as well, and it appears that the government/MedSafe has been operating outside the Act for some time. I doubt that there's many people who would suggest that the vaccination program is a bad idea, but it's not legally approved. So the law will be amended to make the process used legal.

 

The Nga Kaitiaki Tuku Ihu Medical Action Society was set up to oppose mandatory vaccinations. Presumably they see the covid vaccination program as mandatory (even though it's not), or at least a step down the road towards mandatory vaccinations.

 

 


Scott3
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  #2709487 19-May-2021 09:37
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frankv:

 

 

 

I read it, but it wasn't all that clear to me. But my understanding is that Section 23 of the Medicines Act allows the government/MedSafe to provisionally approve medicines to be made available to a "group" of people. The judge said that "all people 16 and over", which the covid approval is for, does not meet the definition of "group". This decision affects a few other medications as well, and it appears that the government/MedSafe has been operating outside the Act for some time. I doubt that there's many people who would suggest that the vaccination program is a bad idea, but it's not legally approved. So the law will be amended to make the process used legal.

 

The Nga Kaitiaki Tuku Ihu Medical Action Society was set up to oppose mandatory vaccinations. Presumably they see the covid vaccination program as mandatory (even though it's not), or at least a step down the road towards mandatory vaccinations.

 

 

 

 

"Notwithstanding sections 20 to 22, the Minister may, by notice in the Gazette, in accordance with this section, give his provisional consent to the sale or supply or use of a new medicine where he is of the opinion that it is desirable that the medicine be sold, supplied, or used on a restricted basis for the treatment of a limited number of patients."

 

https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1981/0118/latest/DLM55061.html

 

 

 

It seems that the high court has deemed the law allowing for a use on a restricted basis for a limited number of patients is inconsistent with the proposed national roll out of the covid-19 vaccine to everybody 16+ years old who is willing to get it....

 

I agree with them.

 

 


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  #2709664 19-May-2021 14:51
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Waste water & virus fragments

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-19-coronavirus-more-weak-positive-results-detected-in-wellington-wastewater/5QHUJYGCR4X2RLAND6C6GAS3QM/

I wonder where else do they test. Should give us daily updates of the positives and negatives testing results

freitasm
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  #2709700 19-May-2021 15:57
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Press release:

 

 

The Government has invested $1.4 billion in New Zealand’s COVID-19 vaccination programme to ensure every New Zealander can receive a free vaccination, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins says.

 

The Government has today confirmed for the first time the amount of money it has allocated over two years for vaccines and the vaccination programme.

 

“The COVID-19 vaccination programme is key to securing our economic recovery,” Chris Hipkins said.

 

“New Zealand will continue to face uncertainties over the coming year as COVID-19 spreads and evolves globally, and it’s critical we keep investing in our health response to keep New Zealanders safe.

 

“Effective and ongoing vaccination of the community will also unlock economic opportunities and allow us to safely reopen our borders over time.

 

“Our health response has been strong and successful so far, but we’re taking nothing for granted. Setting aside $1.4 billion for vaccines and infrastructure means New Zealand is well-placed to meet our COVID-19 challenges head on.

 

“Of this, more than $1 billion has been allocated for purchasing vaccines and specialist equipment. $964.3 million is for manufacturer advance purchase agreements and the COVAX facility to support equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines. $66.3 million is for specialist vaccine equipment, including purchase of syringes and related vaccine storage facilities and transport.

 

“We have secured sufficient doses to vaccinate everyone in New Zealand for free and to also support our Pacific neighbours. Additional vaccines deemed safe and effective can be deferred for later use and further donated to support regional recovery.

 

“The remaining $356.9 million has been allocated for technology to support the roll-out, funding for DHBs, ongoing support for Medsafe, and to stand up community immunisation centres.

 

“This is a massive investment to continue support for what is the biggest single undertaking the health system has ever faced.

 

“In addition to the $1.4 billion, $30 million has gone into vaccine research and the potential for domestic manufacturing and $75 million for Official Development Assistance funding to support Pacific and global vaccine access.

 

“We’re closely monitoring the programme to ensure it’s as effective and efficient as it can be and so we can prepare to support annual immunisation programmes in future to maintain the ground we have gained,” Chris Hipkins said.

 





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Scott3
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  #2709761 19-May-2021 17:18
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Obviously at $1.4b, the vaccination program is an absolute bargain for the amount of value it delivers.

 

Would be interesting to see the breakdown of how the $964.3m was spent.

 

While the cost of the Pfizer varies by countries, the EU is getting it for USD15 a dose, which is roughly NZD20. 10m doses are therefor worth roughly $200m

 

Covax (especially given we declined the AZ vaccines we were going to be supplied) is basically an aid payment, so the sky is the limit for that.

 

Will be interesting to see how much our orders for any non covax AZ doses, J+J and novovax doses are costing us, and if there is a way to get a refund by canceling them, or by reselling the doses. (or if it is worth it for NZ diplomatically to donate them. - Places like the Philippines are in desperate need as China stopped donating them doses when the Philippines opposed china taking over reefs in the philipine EEZ to turn them into military bases.

 

 

 

Still I am fine with us hedging out bets four ways when it came to vaccines, even if it did mean that we as a country wasted $700m...

 

 

 

 


Batman

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  #2709769 19-May-2021 17:44
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Way cheaper than the free money you give out during lockdowns

Not counting the money lost from economic stand still

KrazyKid
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  #2709797 19-May-2021 18:39
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My wife got her first appointment scheduled for the vaccine today here in Dunedin.

Interesting they told her the appointment for the second dose will be six weeks after.

Wonder why they are pushing the period between time between shots out from 3 to 6 weeks?

Hmmm, just found this article supporting delays in between shots.

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01299-y

Batman

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  #2709803 19-May-2021 18:58
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Is she in the high risk category?

Batman

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  #2709805 19-May-2021 19:01
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China vaccinates 100M in 9 days apparently. Hopefully their vaccines work...

https://edition.cnn.com/2021/05/19/china/china-vaccination-drive-mic-intl-hnk/index.html

KrazyKid
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  #2709809 19-May-2021 19:10
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Batman: China vaccinates 100M in 9 days apparently. Hopefully their vaccines work...

https://edition.cnn.com/2021/05/19/china/china-vaccination-drive-mic-intl-hnk/index.html


She works at the DHB, but is not high risk.

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  #2709841 19-May-2021 21:08
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I don't quite understand the whole vaccine situation, and what's been explained today isn't clear either.

 

Seemingly we've entered into agreements and are going to be required to pay for vaccines from the other companies even though we've committed to 100% Pfizer at this point. What is actually going to happen to those millions of doses? It's pretty clear they're now not going to be used in NZ so why aren't they simply being resold. Presumably we've paid for 10.7 million doses of Novavax and yet the vaccine isn't even available on the market or approved.

 

I can understand hedging our bets and entering into multiple agreements, but surely when something isn't even ready then it can be sold elsewhere?

 

 

 

 


Oblivian
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  #2709843 19-May-2021 21:12
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Aren't we being the better looking country and gifting the allotments to our allies/neighbours?

 

Our AZ is headed off to Fiji (April announcement).

 

Fiji had accepted an offer of enough AstraZeneca doses for 250,000 people, though it was subject to MedSafe approval.

 

Vaccination programmes had begun in Samoa, Tonga and Tuvalu using vaccines from the global COVAX programme, and New Zealand promised to top that amount up to cover the rest of their populations.


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