Pharmac seeking bids from suppliers for COVID-19 vaccines

17 October 2024

Media release Medicines

Pharmac is seeking bids from pharmaceutical suppliers of COVID-19 vaccines.

“We’re looking at our approach to the funding, eligibility, and procurement of these vaccines to align with other vaccines that we fund and so we can continue keeping New Zealanders well,” says Pharmac’s Chief Executive, Sarah Fitt.

Pharmac’s Request for Proposal (RFP) allows multiple pharmaceutical suppliers to submit proposals for their vaccines. It also asks them to consider two sets of eligibility criteria to access the vaccine – one that covers the current eligibility criteria, and another that considers possible changes to eligibility.

“We’ve had advice from the clinical and technical experts on our Immunisation Advisory Committee who have recommended eligibility criteria for additional doses (boosters) prioritise people who are most at risk of severe illness, hospitalisation, or death from COVID-19,” says Fitt.

“The RFP doesn’t signal any decision by Pharmac to change the eligibility criteria for COVID-19 vaccines, but it is something we want suppliers to consider in their proposals.

“The results of the procurement process could mean that we have the same or different suppliers for the COVID-19 vaccines available in New Zealand. It could mean that Pharmac decides to keep the existing eligibility criteria or that we need to make changes. It’s very early in the process so we can’t say what will come from the RFP. We will consult the public if we plan to change the eligibility criteria or the brand of funded vaccine.”

The RFP opened on Thursday 17 October and will close on Thursday 21 November. Proposals would then be evaluated, with input from clinical experts, Health New Zealand, Medsafe, and consumer representation. Pharmac would then use that information alongside its Factors for Consideration to choose preferred suppliers. There is no change to the availability of COVID-19 vaccines during this process.

Request For Proposals – Supply of COVID-19 vaccines

Questions and answers

What is Pharmac is doing?

Pharmac is asking suppliers to bid for the future supply of COVID-19 vaccine in New Zealand. We’re doing this through a process called a ‘request for proposals’ (RFP).

An RFP is a type of procurement process. As we are a government agency, we must openly advertise procurement opportunities when there are several potential suppliers, like we do with our annual Tender.

An RFP invites suppliers to submit commercial proposals for the supply of a product. This is like a bidding process on an auction website or for a house.

We tell suppliers what sort of information they need to provide, expected timings of our processes, and how we will evaluate their proposals.

A lot of preparation goes into our procurement processes to make sure we are supporting New Zealanders to live longer, healthier lives.

What does the RFP cover?

This RFP will allow Pharmac to secure the ongoing supply of COVID-19 vaccines. It may mean we change from the current COVID-19 vaccine to a different one.

It also allows Pharmac to align how we fund, procure, and set eligibility criteria for the COVID-19 vaccines to the other vaccines we fund.

As part of this RFP, we also asking suppliers to consider two sets of eligibility criteria – what we have currently, and some possible changes. The RFP doesn’t signal any decision by Pharmac to make changes to the criteria, but it is something we want suppliers to consider in their proposals.

It’s very early in the process so we can’t say what will come from the RFP. We will consult the public if we plan to change the eligibility criteria.

What eligibility criteria are in the RFP?

We’re asking suppliers to consider two sets of eligibility criteria in the RFP. One is the current eligibility criteria(external link). And the other is:

Additional dose (Booster)

One additional dose (booster) every 6 months for previously vaccinated people meeting the following criteria:

all people aged 50 years and over; or
pregnant people; or
disabled people with significant or complex health needs, including those who receive Ministry of Disabled People | Whaikaha Disability Support Services; or
people with serious mental health conditions; or
people with obesity with a BMI of 35 kg/m2 or over; or
people aged 12 years and over with a medical condition that increases the risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

– additional dose is given at least 6 months after last dose or infection.

Pharmac has not made changes to the funded eligibility criteria for COVID-19 vaccines. If we were to make any changes to the funded eligibility criteria, we would consult publicly before making a decision.

Why do you have two different sets of eligibility criteria?

In its November 2023 meeting [PDF, 425 KB], Pharmac’s Immunisation Advisory Committee recommended eligibility criteria for additional doses (or boosters) of COVID-19 vaccines prioritise people who have the highest need. The Committee considered, amongst other things, that people who are older or immunocompromised have the highest need for additional doses.

They also noted that the ongoing changes in circulating variants of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus mean that the risk for people is likely to change, particularly the risk of hospitalisation and death.

In addition to the clinical evidence, the Committee also considered the impact of administering the vaccine on the health workforce as well as a declining uptake of additional doses.

We’ve included this eligibility criteria in the RFP because we want suppliers to consider it as part of their proposals.

The current COVID-19 vaccines will continue to be available during this process. We continue to encourage New Zealanders to get vaccinated for protection against COVID-19.