New Zealand temporarily approves AstraZeneca vaccine for people over the age of 18
New Zealand’s regulatory authority MedSafe on Thursday granted provisional approval for the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine for individuals aged 18 and over.
New Zealand secured 7.6 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, enough for 3.8 million people, last year through an advance purchase agreement with the company, Ayesha Veral, Acting Minister for COVID-19 Response, said in a statement.
“The AstraZeneca vaccine is one of four purchase agreements we have entered into with pharmaceutical companies for COVID-19 vaccines,” Xinhua news agency Xinhua quoted Veral as saying.
“We are in a fortunate position to now have provisional approval for three vaccines. Cabinet has not yet considered whether to use the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in New Zealand,” she said.
However, this is an important step towards enabling AstraZeneca donations from New Zealand to the Pacific countries where we have made commitments, Veral said.
AstraZeneca vaccine requires two doses and is best stored at normal fridge temperature (2 to 8 °C).
The first deliveries could happen in late August, and officials are working closely with AstraZeneca to confirm the delivery schedule.
The vaccination plan in New Zealand is focused on rolling out the Pfizer vaccine. The workforce is growing in line with increased deliveries, Veral said.
“We are on track to have two doses of the Pfizer vaccine in New Zealand by the end of this year for everyone who wants to take it. No one will miss it,” he said.
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