Proposal to award Principal Supply for the COVID-19 vaccine
What we’re proposing
We would like your feedback on a proposal to enter into a new supply agreement for the COVID-19 vaccine following a competitive procurement process for the supply of COVID-19 vaccines for New Zealand.
If the proposal is approved, Pfizer’s brand of COVID-19 vaccine (brand name Comirnaty) would have principal supply status (PSS). This means the Comirnaty brand would be the principal funded brand of COVID-19 vaccine from 1 February 2026 to 30 September 2027. Pharmac would have the option to extend the PSS period for two consecutive 12-month periods, to 30 September 2028 and 30 September 2029.
The proposal results from a request for proposals for the Principal Supply of COVID-19 vaccines. Feedback to this consultation will help us decide whether to go ahead with this proposal.
Alternatively, you can email vaccines@pharmac.govt.nz
What would the effect be?
This proposal would result in continued supply of the COVID-19 vaccine. There would be no changes to the eligibility criteria or the group of people eligible to receive it. The funded brand of the COVID-19 vaccine would remain as Comirnaty. Comirnaty would have Principal Supply Status (PSS) from 1 February 2026 to 30 September 2027. Pharmac would have the option to extend the PSS period for two consecutive 12-month periods to 30 September 2028 and 30 September 2029.
The following presentations would continue to be funded:
- infant multi-dose vial (MDV)
- paediatric single-dose vial (SDV)
- adult single-dose vial (SDV).
This proposal would result in an additional listing of a prefilled syringe (PFS) presentation of Comirnaty for adults. We understand prefilled syringes are more convenient for vaccinators to use.
Exceptional circumstances
We understand that Comirnaty may not be suitable for everyone. This proposal allows people to access a different brand if their prescriber considers Comirnaty to be clinically unsuitable for their health needs. We have received clinical advice from our Immunisation Advisory Committee that the following people may need a different brand to Comirnaty:
- people who have hypersensitivity to any components of the vaccine
- people who have experienced myocarditis or pericarditis (inflammation of the heart).
We are proposing to manage the funding of alternative brands via Pharmac’s Exceptional Circumstances framework. This would require an individual’s prescriber to provide information why the funded brand Comirnaty is not clinically appropriate.
Implementation
Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora (Health NZ) is responsible for the implementation of the National Immunisation Schedule. Health NZ would lead communications with service providers about the vaccination programme.
Health NZ's Immunisation Handbook(external link) would continue to provide information to vaccinators and health care professionals about the COVID-19 vaccine.
There would be no change to the existing storage and distribution arrangements of COVID-19 vaccines as part of this proposal.
Who we would like to hear from
We anticipate widespread interest across the health sector and community, in particular:
- People and carers of people who are eligible for funded COVID-19 vaccine
- Primary health care professionals and vaccine administrators, who administer and help people access COVID-19 vaccines
- Health NZ and the National Public Health Service
- The Immunisation Advisory Centre (IMAC)
- The Ministry of Health
- Rest homes, private hospitals, dementia units, and other places that care for our vulnerable elderly
- Primary Health care Organisations (PHOs)
- Māori and Pacific health care providers
About COVID-19 and the vaccine
COVID-19 is a highly contagious disease, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which initially affects the lungs and airways but can affect other organ systems. Some people with COVID-19 can become very unwell. They may need to go hospital and/or be admitted to an Intensive Care Unit because their lungs can stop working.
People vaccinated against COVID-19 are less likely to become very ill when infected with COVID-19. While the two- or three-dose primary course would have provided some protection against severe disease, this protection will have decreased over time. Booster doses of vaccine every six months reduce the chance of serious illness by boosting people’s immunity against the disease.
Why we’re proposing this
Pharmac released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the supply of COVID-19 vaccines in New Zealand on 17 October 2024.
We sought expert clinical advice from Pharmac’s Immunisation Advisory Committee in November 2023 and March 2024, in relation to running a competitive procurement process for the supply of COVID-19 vaccines. Our advisors told us that it was suitable to fund one vaccine brand, but desirable that an alternative brand is available for those whose clinical needs mean they need a different option.
Record of the November 2023 meeting of the Immunisation Advisory Committee [PDF, 425 KB]
Record of the March 2024 meeting of the Immunisation Advisory Committee [PDF, 373 KB]
For those who clinical needs mean they cannot use Comirnaty, we are proposing to manage the funding of alternative brands via Pharmac’s Exceptional Circumstances framework.
We have now reached a provisional agreement with Pfizer for the supply of the COVID-19 vaccine (Comirnaty) as outlined above. Your feedback on this consultation will help us decide if this supply agreement should be confirmed.
Details about our proposal
From 1 February 2026, the Comirnaty vaccine would continue to be listed in Section I and Part II of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule as outlined below. This would be updated as required when new strains are available.
|
Chemical |
Formulation |
Brand |
Pack size |
Price* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
COVID-19 vaccine |
Inj 3 mcg bretovameran per 0.3 ml, 0.48 ml vial; infant vaccine, yellow cap |
Comirnaty Omicron (JN.1) |
10 |
$0.00 |
|
COVID-19 vaccine |
Inj 10 mcg bretovameran per 0.3 ml, 0.48 ml vial; paediatric vaccine, light blue cap |
Comirnaty Omicron (JN.1) |
10 |
$0.00 |
|
COVID-19 vaccine |
Inj 30 mcg bretovameran per 0.3 ml, 0.48 ml vial; adult vaccine, light grey cap |
Comirnaty Omicron (JN.1) |
10 |
$0.00 |
*Vaccine prices are listed with zero cost in the Pharmaceutical Schedule, as they are distributed free of charge to vaccinators.
From 1 December 2025, an additional presentation of the Comirnaty vaccine would be listed in Section I and Part II of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule as outlined below. A single-dose glass pre-filled syringe presentation for adults would be listed. Vaccinators would be able to order either the vial or pre-filled syringe presentations for adults.
|
Chemical |
Formulation |
Brand |
Pack size |
Price* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
COVID-19 vaccine |
Inj 30 mcg bretovameran per 0.3 ml, prefilled syringe; adult vaccine |
Comirnaty Omicron (JN.1) |
10 |
$0.00 |
*Vaccine prices are listed with zero cost in the Pharmaceutical Schedule, as they are distributed free of charge to vaccinators.
Eligibility Criteria
There would be no changes to the eligibility criteria in Section I of the Pharmaceutical Schedule, which would remain as outlined below. The same criteria would apply in Part II of Section H of the Schedule.
COVID-19 VACCINE – [Xpharm]
Inj 3 mcg bretovameran per 0.3 ml, 0.48 ml vial; infant vaccine, yellow cap
Up to three doses for previously unvaccinated children aged 6 months to 4 years old at high risk of severe illness.
Inj 10 mcg bretovameran per 0.3 ml, 0.48 ml vial; paediatric vaccine, light blue cap
Either:
- One dose for previously unvaccinated children aged 5 to 11 years old; or
- Up to three doses for immunocompromised children aged 5 to 11 years old.
Inj 30 mcg bretovameran per 0.3 ml, 0.48 ml vial; adult vaccine, light grey cap
Inj 30 mcg bretovameran per 0.3 ml, prefilled syringe; adult vaccine
Any of the following:
- One dose for previously unvaccinated people aged 12 to 15 years old; or
- Up to three doses for immunocompromised people aged 12 to 15 years old; or
- Up to two doses for previously unvaccinated people aged 16 to 29 years old; or
- Up to four doses for people aged 16 to 29 years old at high risk of severe illness; or
- One dose for previously unvaccinated people aged 30 years and over; or
- One additional dose every 6 months for previously vaccinated people aged 30 years and over – additional dose is given at least 6 months after last dose.
Supply and price arrangements
Principal Supply Status (PSS) would be applied to Comirnaty beginning 1 February 2026 and ending on 30 September 2027. Pharmac would have the option to extend the PSS period for two consecutive 12-month periods to 30 September 2028, and 30 September 2029.
This means Comirnaty would be the principal funded brand of COVID-19 vaccine available in New Zealand and would be guaranteed at least 95% of each of the following funded markets.
- Eligible children aged 6 months to 11 years, and
- Eligible people aged 12 years and older.
Funding for any alternative brand would require Pharmac approval via our Exceptional Circumstances Framework.
A confidential net price would apply to all presentations of Comirnaty.
Distribution arrangements
COVID-19 vaccines are currently distributed differently to most other vaccines and pharmaceuticals. COVID-19 vaccine would be listed with the “Xpharm” restriction with a $0.00 subsidy. An Xpharm listing means that pharmacies cannot claim subsidy because Pharmac has made alternative distribution arrangements. Pharmacies use a different claiming process for COVID-19 vaccines. There would be no change to the existing storage and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines as part of this proposal.
To provide feedback
Complete the feedback form by 5pm, Thursday 5 June 2025 or email vaccines@pharmac.govt.nz
All feedback received before the closing date will be considered by Pharmac’s Board (or its delegate) prior to making a decision on this proposal.
Your feedback may be shared
When you give feedback on a consultation, your feedback becomes official information that Pharmac holds. Pharmac has legal responsibilities for how we manage this official information, under laws such as the Official Information Act and Privacy Act.
Pharmac may receive a request from people for official information, which could include your feedback. Legally, Pharmac must consider whether your feedback should be released.
We will consider your views when assessing whether the feedback has to be released. Tell us if there is anything about your feedback that you would prefer wasn’t released.
If your feedback is proposed for release, then Pharmac will contact you, unless there is a legal reason that we can't.
Note that Pharmac collects and holds your information in line with our Privacy Statement.