It could take several months for Pfizer's new Omicron-specific vaccines to be available in New Zealand, Marc Daalder reports
Regulators in the United States, United Kingdom and European Union have approved Omicron-specific vaccines in recent weeks, but an application to authorise variant vaccines in New Zealand still isn't expected for months.
The EU and UK have both approved vaccines targeting the original BA.1 Omicron variant, while the American Food and Drug Administration green lit a Pfizer jab aimed at the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants.
While BA.5 is the dominant subvariant globally and in New Zealand, both shots are expected to provide even better protection than the original vaccines.
Astrid Koornneef, the director of the National Immunisation Programme at Health NZ/Te Whatu Ora, told Newsroom on Friday that Pfizer has yet to apply for either its BA.1 or BA.5 vaccine to be used in New Zealand.
"Medsafe is working with Pfizer on their plans to submit data to New Zealand on variant vaccines. This is expected to happen over the coming months," she said.
"Medsafe will be assessing this data as a priority once received."
Koornneef didn't answer questions about whether the Government's existing contracts with Pfizer cover these new vaccines or whether another agreement would have to be inked.
"Our agreements with Pfizer remain commercially sensitive and confidential, as are all our purchase agreements for Covid-19 vaccines. However, we have well-developed relationships in place with a range of vaccine manufacturers and continue to monitor progress in this space, including the development of potential new versions of vaccines as they emerge."
Pfizer did submit an application to Medsafe in August for its Covid-19 vaccine to be approved for children aged six months to four years. Currently, the vaccine is only authorised for those aged five and up.
The application is being assessed as a priority, Koornneef said, but there are many steps before a decision to use is made by Cabinet.
"Provisional approval by MedSafe is only the first step in the process. Subsequent steps include seeking Covid-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group science and technical advice, followed by a recommendation for consideration by the Director-General of Health."
The United States authorised Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for children under five in June. Australia's regulator approved Moderna for particularly vulnerable children in August, with the rollout scheduled to start this week.
