Te Whatu Ora launches investigation

Te Whatu Ora has opened an investigation, saying an employee used government data to spread vaccine misinformation.

The staff member had no clinical background or expert vaccine knowledge, saidTe Whatu Ora chief executive Margie Apa.

“It is extremely disappointing to see a staff member trying to misuse our data to spread misinformation,” Apa said. “What he is claiming is completely wrong and ill-informed ... We take the security of the information we hold extremely seriously, and this is a significant breach of trust.”

Stuff understands the alleged misinformation centred around the number of vaccine related deaths.

In New Zealand, there have been four deaths linked to the Covid-19 vaccination since it was rolled out.

“This is in the context of 3361 people whose deaths have to date been directly attributed to Covid-19 in New Zealand, with more than 12.6 million vaccines administered to eligible New Zealanders as of 2 October 2023,” Apa said in a statement.

“By chance and separate to a prior Covid-19 vaccination event, some people will experience new illnesses or die from a pre-existing condition shortly after vaccination, especially if they are elderly.”

Te Whatu Ora said the employee who spread the alleged misinformation is “no longer at work”.

“We assure people there is no evidence whatsoever that vaccination is responsible for excess mortality in New Zealand and that they can continue to have confidence in vaccines,” Apa said.

Te Whatu Ora have launched an employment investigation into the situation.