COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group (CV TAG)
COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group provide science advice and recommendations on the use of COVID-19 vaccinations. CV TAG ceased 25 March 2023.
Pātiki and Waharua Kōpito patterns
Membership
- Dr Ian Town (Chair) – Chief Science Advisor, Ministry of Health
- Dr Danny de Lore – Paediatrician, Lakes DHB
- Prof David Murdoch (Deputy Chair) – Dean and Head of Campus, University of Otago, Christchurch
- Dr Elizabeth Wilson – S.M.O Paediatric Infectious Diseases, ADHB
- Dr Helen Petousis-Harris – Associated Professor, University of Auckland
- Prof Ian Frazer – Professor of Medicine, The University of Queensland
- Assoc Prof James Ussher – Associate Professor, University of Otago and Science Director, Vaccine Alliance Aotearoa New Zealand (VAANZ)
- Dr Nikki Moreland – Associated Professor, University of Auckland
- Prof Nikki Turner – Medical Director, Immunisation Centre (IMAC), University of Auckland
- Prof Peter McIntyre – Professor, University of Otago, Medical consultant, IMAC, and Professorial Fellow, NCIRS and University of Sydney, Australia
- Dr Owen Sinclair, Te Rarawa – Paediatrician, Māori Health, Waitemata DHB
- Dr Sean Hanna – General Practitioner and Chair, Immunisation Subcommittee PTAC
- Prof Sue Crengle – General Practitioner and Professor, University of Otago
- Assoc Prof Tony Walls – Associate Professor of Paediatrics, University of Otago and Paediatric Infectious Diseases Specialist
COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group (CV-TAG) Memos
24 March 2023 - Booster eligibility addendum: COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group (CV TAG) recommendations
24 March 2023 - Booster eligibility addendum: COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group (CV TAG) recommendations
To clarify the recommendations of the COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group (CV TAG) regarding eligibility of additional COVID-19 vaccine doses for individuals aged 16 to 29, as related to the previous CV TAG memo dated 10 February 2023, “Update on Intervals and Booster Eligibility: COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group (CV TAG) recommendations"
10 February 2023 - Update on Intervals and Booster Eligibility:
10 February 2023 - Update on Intervals and Booster Eligibility:
To summarise the COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group’s (CV TAG) recommendations regarding:
- the duration of intervals between COVID-19 vaccine doses
- expansion of eligibility for second/additional booster doses
3 February 2023 - Decision to use Pfizer’s bivalent BA.4/5 vaccine
3 February 2023 - Decision to use Pfizer’s bivalent BA.4/5 vaccine
To summarise the COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group’s (CV TAG) advice on the decision to use Pfizer’s bivalent Wild Type (WT) and BA.4/5 vaccine (hereafter referred to as “Pfizer BA.4/5 bivalent vaccine), including immunological, effectiveness and safety data, and peak body guidance.
17 March 2021 – Use of mRNA Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine with respect to patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy
17 March 2021 – Use of mRNA Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine with respect to patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy
To update the COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group's recommendations on the use of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for individuals receiving immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy.
17 March 2021 – Comorbidities associated with poor COVID-19 outcomes for vaccine sequencing considerations
17 March 2021 – Comorbidities associated with poor COVID-19 outcomes for vaccine sequencing considerations
To outline the COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group's recommendation following a request for opinion regarding the definitions/ thresholds to be used for vaccinating individuals with hypertension and obesity
8 March 2021 – Reduction of 30-minute observation time for Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine
8 March 2021 – Reduction of 30-minute observation time for Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine
To outline the COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group’s recommendation following a request to reconsider the current requirement for individuals to be observed for 30 minutes after receiving the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
5 February 2021 – Decision to use the Pfizer mRNA COVID-19 vaccine
5 February 2021 – Decision to use the Pfizer mRNA COVID-19 vaccine
To outline the COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group’s (CV TAG) recommendations on for whom the Pfizer mRNA COVID-19 vaccine is appropriate.
24 November 2022 – The use of Pfizer mRNA COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 6 months to 4 years
24 November 2022 – The use of Pfizer mRNA COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 6 months to 4 years
To summarise the COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group's (CV TAG) recommendations on the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine formulated for those aged 6 months and over and less than 5 years of age (referred hereafter as 6 months to 4 years of age).
15 November 2022 – Decision to use Pfizer’s bivalent BA.4/5 vaccine
15 November 2022 – Decision to use Pfizer’s bivalent BA.4/5 vaccine
To summarise the COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group’s (CV TAG) recommendations on the decision to use Pfizer-BioNTech’s Comirnaty Original / Omicron BA.4/5 COVID-19 vaccine (referred hereafter as the BA.4/5 bivalent vaccine).
1 November 2022 – Extending Second Booster Eligibility to Māori and Pacific Peoples aged 40 to 49 years
1 November 2022 – Extending Second Booster Eligibility to Māori and Pacific Peoples aged 40 to 49 years
To summarise the COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group’s (CV TAG) recommendations on extending the eligibility of COVID-19 second booster vaccinations to Māori and Pacific Peoples aged 40 to 49 years.
10 August 2022 – Extending second booster eligibility to 30 to 49 year olds
10 August 2022 – Extending second booster eligibility to 30 to 49 year olds
To summarise the COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group’s (CV TAG) recommendations for the use of COVID-19 second booster vaccinations in 30–49 year olds.
25 August 2022 – Decision to use the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine (Nuvaxovid) in those aged 12 to 17 years
25 August 2022 – Decision to use the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine (Nuvaxovid) in those aged 12 to 17 years
To summarise the COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group’s (CV TAG) advice about the use of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine (Nuvaxovid) in those aged 12–17 years.
22 June 2022 – Second booster update
22 June 2022 – Second booster update
To provide the COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group’s (CV TAG) advice on the science rationale, safety and peak body guidance on use of a second booster dose in:
- individuals with underlying health conditions that are likely to increase the individual’s risk of adverse outcomes from COVID-19 and/or
- those aged over 50 years and/or
- extension of eligibility for a second booster dose to healthcare workers.
This updated document was re-issued on 26 July 2022 and provides clarification (particularly around use of a second booster dose in pregnant people) to ensure original intent is clear. Evidence provided and recommendations made on 22 June 2022 remain unchanged.
6 May 2022 – Use of Novavax (Nuvaxovid) COVID-19 vaccine as a heterologous booster
6 May 2022 – Use of Novavax (Nuvaxovid) COVID-19 vaccine as a heterologous booster
To summarise the COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group’s (CV TAG) advice about the use of Novavax COVID-19 vaccine (Nuvaxovid) as a heterologous booster.
30 March 2022 – Booster doses after myocarditis/pericarditis
30 March 2022 – Booster doses after myocarditis/pericarditis
To summarise the COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group’s (CV TAG) advice on the use of COVID-19 vaccines in those who have experienced vaccine-associated myocarditis and/or pericarditis after a second (or subsequent) dose.
22 March 2022 – Vaccination after infection with SARS-CoV-2
22 March 2022 – Vaccination after infection with SARS-CoV-2
To summarise the COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group’s(CV TAG) recommendations on COVID-19 vaccination after infection in circumstances when the recommended course of vaccination has not been completed.
22 March 2022 – Third primary dose of the paediatric Pfizer mRNA COVID-19 vaccine for immunocompromised 5–11-year-olds
22 March 2022 – Third primary dose of the paediatric Pfizer mRNA COVID-19 vaccine for immunocompromised 5–11-year-olds
To summarise the COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group’s (CV TAG) recommendations on the use of a third primary dose of the paediatric Pfizer mRNA COVID-19 vaccine in severely immunocompromised 5–11-year-olds.
21 February 2022 – The use of booster vaccinations in 12–17-year-olds
21 February 2022 – The use of booster vaccinations in 12–17-year-olds
To summarise the COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group’s (CV TAG) recommendations on the use of COVID-19 booster vaccinations in 12–17-year-olds.
16 February 2022 – Use of the paediatric Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in 5-11 year-olds–second dose and dosing interval
16 February 2022 – Use of the paediatric Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in 5-11 year-olds–second dose and dosing interval
To outline the COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group’s (CV TAG) advice about the administration o fa second dose of the paediatric Pfizer vaccine and the interval between the first and second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine for 5–11year-olds. This report also provides an update on international and local safety data.
10 February 2022 – Decision to use a primary course of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine
10 February 2022 – Decision to use a primary course of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine
To summarise the COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group’s (CV TAG) recommendations on the decision to use a primary course (two doses) of the Nuvaxovid COVID-19 Vaccine with Matrix-M Adjuvant (‘the Novavax vaccine’).
10 February 2022 – Decision to use the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine as a booster for those aged 18 years and over 3 months after a primary vaccine course
10 February 2022 – Decision to use the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine as a booster for those aged 18 years and over 3 months after a primary vaccine course
To summarise the COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group’s (CV TAG) recommendation on the decision to use the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine (‘the AstraZeneca vaccine’) as a booster 3 months after a primary vaccination course for those aged 18 years and over.
1 February 2022 – COVID-19 booster vaccination interval for those aged 18 years and over in the context of Omicron
1 February 2022 – COVID-19 booster vaccination interval for those aged 18 years and over in the context of Omicron
To summarise the COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group’s (CV TAG) recommendations on the interval between COVID-19 primary course vaccinations and booster doses for those aged 18 years and over in the context of Omicron.
25 January 2022 – Update to recommendations on COVID-19 booster vaccinations for pregnant people and immunocompromised
25 January 2022 – Update to recommendations on COVID-19 booster vaccinations for pregnant people and immunocompromised
To summarise the COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group’s (CV TAG) recommendations about COVID-19 booster vaccinations in pregnant and immunocompromised people.
17 December 2021 – Recommendation on COVID-19 vaccine booster dose interval update
17 December 2021 – Recommendation on COVID-19 vaccine booster dose interval update
To summarise the COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group’s (CV TAG) recommendations about booster doses of the Pfizer vaccine.
15 December 2021 – Decision to use the Pfizer mRNA COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 5-11 years
15 December 2021 – Decision to use the Pfizer mRNA COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 5-11 years
To summarise the CV TAG recommendations on the decision to use the paediatric formulation of the Pfizer mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (‘the Pfizer vaccine’) for children who are 5 to 11 years of age.
9 December 2021 – COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group (CV TAG) position statement
9 December 2021 – COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group (CV TAG) position statement
To state the COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group’s (CV TAG) position on requiring two doses of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to fulfil vaccine mandates in those aged under 18 years.
17 November 2021 – Third Primary Pfizer mRNA COVID-19 vaccine dose in the immunocompromised
17 November 2021 – Third Primary Pfizer mRNA COVID-19 vaccine dose in the immunocompromised
To summarise the COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group’s (CV TAG) updated recommendations on the use of a third primary Pfizer mRNA COVID-19 vaccine dose in those who are severely immunocompromised.
10 November 2021 – Recommendations to provide a booster vaccination
10 November 2021 – Recommendations to provide a booster vaccination
To summarise the COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group’s (CV TAG) recommendations about COVID-19 booster vaccinations.
5 November 2021 – New Zealand definition of fully vaccinated for use inside the New Zealand border
5 November 2021 – New Zealand definition of fully vaccinated for use inside the New Zealand border
To summarise the COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group’s (CV TAG) recommendations on the definition of fully vaccinated for use in settings inside the New Zealand border.
3 November 2021 – Temporary Medical Exemptions for the COVID-19 Vaccine
3 November 2021 – Temporary Medical Exemptions for the COVID-19 Vaccine
To outline the COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group’s (CV TAG) recommendations on the clinical criteria for medical exemptions to the first or second dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
27 October 2021 – Decision to use the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine
27 October 2021 – Decision to use the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine
To summarise the COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group’s (CV TAG) recommendations on the decision to use the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine (‘the AstraZeneca vaccine’).
1 October 2021 – COVID-19 vaccines for arrivals to Aotearoa New Zealand
1 October 2021 – COVID-19 vaccines for arrivals to Aotearoa New Zealand
This memo summarises the COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group’s (CV TAG) recommendations on COVID-19 vaccination requirements for people arriving to the country under the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme. These recommendations are made as a part of the next step in the phased introduction of vaccination requirements at the border.
29 September 2021 – COVID-19 vaccines for arrivals to Aotearoa New Zealand
29 September 2021 – COVID-19 vaccines for arrivals to Aotearoa New Zealand
This memo summarises the COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group’s (CV TAG) recommendations on COVID-19 vaccination requirements for people arriving to the country and entering managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) for 14 days. These recommendations are made as a part of a first step in the phased introduction of vaccination requirements at the border.
21 September 2021 – Additional Pfizer mRNA COVID-19 vaccine dose in the immunocompromised
21 September 2021 – Additional Pfizer mRNA COVID-19 vaccine dose in the immunocompromised
To summarise the COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group’s (CV TAG) recommendations on the use of an additional Pfizer mRNA COVID-19 vaccine dose in those who are immunocompromised.
6 September 2021 – COVID-19 vaccines and vaccinations recognise at the border for border workers
6 September 2021 – COVID-19 vaccines and vaccinations recognise at the border for border workers
To summarise the COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group’s (CV TAG) recommendations on COVID-19 vaccines that Aotearoa New Zealand recognises for those working at the international border (‘the Border’), including advice on the criteria for deciding which vaccines should be recognised at the Border, and how to approach incomplete vaccination with recognised COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination with non-recognised COVID-19 vaccines among ‘Border Workers’.
6 September 2021 – Guidance for the potential use of an extension/third dose in the context of a missed vaccination incident
6 September 2021 – Guidance for the potential use of an extension/third dose in the context of a missed vaccination incident
To provide guidance for clinical decision-making around offering an extension/third dose in the context of a missed vaccination incident, including specific advice about those who are immunocompromised.
27 August 2021 – Coadministration of the COVID-19 vaccine with other vaccines, including the MMR and influenza vaccines
27 August 2021 – Coadministration of the COVID-19 vaccine with other vaccines, including the MMR and influenza vaccines
To summarise the COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group’s (CV TAG) recommendations for co-administration of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine with the MMR, influenza, and other vaccines.
20 August 2021 – The use of COVID-19 vaccines during an outbreak
20 August 2021 – The use of COVID-19 vaccines during an outbreak
To summarise the COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group’s recommendations on the use of COVID-19 vaccines during an outbreak, endorsing the prioritisation of vaccination capacity nationwide to allow the maximum number of people to receive at least a single dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
13 August 2021 - Extending age groups who can receive COVID-19 vaccine
13 August 2021 - Extending age groups who can receive COVID-19 vaccine
This is a noting memo confirming support from the COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group (CV TAG) to extend the age of people who can receive the Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccine to 12 to 15 year-olds.
Extending age groups who can receive COVID-19 vaccine. (PDF, 70 KB)
4 August 2021 – Priority groups for vaccination among 12- to 15-year-olds
4 August 2021 – Priority groups for vaccination among 12- to 15-year-olds
To summarise the COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group’s (CV TAG) recommendations on priority groups for Pfizer mRNA COVID-19 vaccination among 12- to 15-year-olds.
21 July 2021 – Myocarditis following vaccination
21 July 2021 – Myocarditis following vaccination
To summarise the COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group’s (CV TAG) recommendations on the use of Pfizer mRNA COVID-19 vaccine in the context of the risk of myocarditis and/or pericarditis following vaccination.
12 July 2021 – Decision to use the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine
12 July 2021 – Decision to use the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine
To summarise the COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group’s (CV TAG) recommendations on the decision to use the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine.
24 June 2021 – Decision to use the Pfizer mRNA COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 12 -15 years
24 June 2021 – Decision to use the Pfizer mRNA COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 12 -15 years
To summarise the COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group’s (CV TAG) recommendations on the decision to use the Pfizer mRNA COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 12-15 years.
27 May 2021 – Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in pregnancy
27 May 2021 – Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in pregnancy
To outline the COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group’s revised recommendations for use of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in pregnancy.
27 May 2021 – Decision to use the Pfizer mRNA COVID-19 vaccine for group three and general population
27 May 2021 – Decision to use the Pfizer mRNA COVID-19 vaccine for group three and general population
To outline the COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group’s recommendations on the decision to use the Pfizer mRNA COVID-19 vaccine for group three at scale and the general population in New Zealand
12 May 2021 – The use of COVID-19 vaccines during an outbreak
12 May 2021 – The use of COVID-19 vaccines during an outbreak
To outline the COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group’s recommendations for the targeted use of COVID-19 vaccines during an outbreak.
20 April 2021 – Guidance for testing in recently vaccinated populations
20 April 2021 – Guidance for testing in recently vaccinated populations
To outline the COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group’s (CV TAG) advice for new guidance for testing in the days, weeks and months following a person’s vaccination.
13 April 2021 – Pfizer dosing regimen for those arriving in New Zealand with a prior vaccine History
13 April 2021 – Pfizer dosing regimen for those arriving in New Zealand with a prior vaccine History
To outline the COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group's recommendation following a request for advice on the Pfizer dosing regimen for those arriving in New Zealand with a prior vaccine history.
25 March 2021 – COVID-19 vaccines in children younger than 16 years
25 March 2021 – COVID-19 vaccines in children younger than 16 years
To outline the COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group's recommendations for the use of COVID-19 vaccines in children younger than 16 years.