Future Procurement Opportunity (FPO) - Supply of COVID-19 vaccines

Details

Pharmac is planning to issue a competitive process for supply of COVID-19 vaccines.

Pharmac would be interested in considering offers for vaccines that use alternative technologies to those used in currently funded COVID-19 vaccines.

The current annual expenditure on COVID-19 vaccines is commercially confidential. Approximately 800,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered to people in the 12 months to 30 April 2024. Further data on the administration of COVID-19 vaccines can be found on the Health New Zealand website (https://www.tewhatuora.govt.nz/for-health-professionals/data-and-statistics/covid-vaccine-data#covid-19-vaccinations-summary).

To enable Pharmac to consider listing a new vaccine through the RFP, we would need a recommendation, either from PTAC or the Immunisation Advisory Committee, that the vaccine is suitable for use in New Zealand. The suggested approach would be for suppliers to submit funding applications for potential new vaccines that have not already been considered by the Immunisation Advisory Committee, as soon as possible.

The Immunisation Advisory Committee may consider vaccines prior to Medsafe approval in order to support the procurement timelines.

The next Immunisation Advisory Committee meeting is scheduled for 5 September 2024. Applications for consideration this meeting should be submitted no later than 12 July 2024.

Pharmac is looking to change the way COVID-19 vaccines are funded and distributed to align more closely with other vaccines and pharmaceuticals. We want to enable more equitable health outcomes in a way that is mutually sustainable for both the New Zealand health system and suppliers. We are interested in hearing from suppliers early to help inform the development of this procurement.

For current funding restrictions please view the Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora website (https://info.health.nz/immunisations/vaccines-aotearoa/covid-19-vaccines/getting-covid-19-vaccines/#how-many-covid-19-vaccines-to-get-and-when). As part of this potential procurement process, Pharmac may consider changes to funding restrictions.