9. Question No. 9—COVID-19 ResponseCHRIS BISHOP (National) to the Minister for COVID-19 ResponseQuestion No. 9—COVID-19 Response9. CHRIS BISHOP (National) to the Minister for COVID-19 Response: Does he stand by all of the Government's statements and actions in response to COVID-19?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister for COVID-19 Response): Yes in particular my ongoing statement that this Government will continue to improve the COVID-19 response by keeping an open mind to new innovation or advancement that could help in the fight against the virus. We operate a model of continual improvement which means that as new science and technology comes to light we incorporate these into our response and that's allowed us to keep New Zealanders safe whilst maintaining as many freedoms as possible. Strong control of the virus within New Zealand will ensure that we maintain the economic and social stability freedoms and health outcomes that our team of 5 million have earned with our elimination approach.Chris Bishop: Has he seen the photos of US President Joe Biden receiving his first booster shot in the last 24 hours and why has New Zealand still not ordered any booster vaccine doses?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: That is simply not true—the latter part of the statement is simply not true. We have got available to us a portfolio of vaccines over the next year and we continue to add to that portfolio.Chris Bishop: Why did New Zealand only start to record the vaccination status of people entering managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) on August 23 this year?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Because that's when we started to record the vaccination status of people entering MIQ. Up until that point and even now it's still largely an interesting piece of information but it isn't necessarily telling us a lot. There is still risk associated with those people including those who have been vaccinated.Hon Grant Robertson: Does the Minister stand by his statements on the Government's purchasing of the Pfizer vaccine in light of the statement by Pfizer that accusations that New Zealand could have paid for earlier access to the vaccine are incorrect and baseless"?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: As I have consistently said New Zealand has never had an option to pay more for doses in order to get access to them earlier. This is not Saudi sheep we're talking about and suggestions to the contrary suggest that big pharma has a higher ethical and moral threshold than some of the members opposite.SPEAKER: I think the member in his final comment went—well at least by implication he went too far. The inference I took from it was a lack of moral standing on the part of the Opposition. The member can't say that. He will withdraw and apologise.Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I withdraw and apologise.Hon Grant Robertson: Further to that answer how can it be possible that the Minister stands by his statements when Chris Bishop has repeatedly said we could have got access to vaccine by paying for it?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I simply refer everybody to the statements made by Pfizer: New Zealand has never—never—been offered the opportunity to get earlier access to vaccines. Pfizer have been operating a global allocation model to ensure that countries have equitable access to vaccines. They have worked constructively with us to supply vaccines as quickly as they have been able to and we have also been able to bring extra doses into the country by purchasing them off other countries and Pfizer have worked with us to help facilitate that.Chris Bishop: Is he aware of why the Prime Minister's first phone call with the CEO of Pfizer Albert Bourla was not until March 2021 this year and is he aware of why she didn't pick up the phone and call the Pfizer CEO in 2020 when we were negotiating the vaccine contracts?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I simply remind that member that the National Party late last year and early this year were demanding to know whether we were going to have access to AstraZeneca vaccines because at that point that was the vaccine of choice for some of the members opposite and they were arguing that we hadn't done enough to secure access to that vaccine. The decision to increase the order for Pfizer was made early this year. Shortly after we made that decision the Prime Minister made her call to Pfizer to see how quickly we could get those delivered.Nicole McKee: What actions is the Minister taking through COVID-19 orders to ensure that those caught up in firearms licensing delays are not forced to break the law?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I haven't taken any particular action with regard to that but if the member wants to have a conversation about it then I'm happy to look at it."