8. Question No. 8—COVID-19 ResponseTEANAU TUIONO (Green) to the Minister for COVID-19 ResponseQuestion No. 8—COVID-19 Response8. TEANAU TUIONO (Green) to the Minister for COVID-19 Response: Does he remain committed to ensuring that the Government's response to COVID-19 is informed by the best available scientific evidence; if so what is his response to an open letter by more than 150 doctors and scientists calling for additional protections particularly in schools?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister for COVID-19 Response): Yes this Government absolutely remains committed to a science- and evidence-based approach to dealing with COVID-19. As much as we'd all like it to be the case the pandemic is not over and we cannot afford to take our foot off the pedal as we head into winter. That's why the Government has implemented a protection and minimisation strategy following the advice from Professor David Skegg and the Strategic COVID-19 Public Health Advisory Group. Our response has and will continue to focus on protecting those groups that are the most vulnerable and to stay agile and be ready to adjust to change as the outbreak continues to evolve as it will. This will mean a continued push for higher vaccination rates and the further promotion of public health measures that allow people to protect themselves and their loved ones. The hard work and sacrifices of New Zealanders have supported the Government's strategy and delivered one of the lowest rates of cases in deaths in the OECD and now is not the time to change that approach. Teanau Tuiono: Does he agree with these experts that COVID-19 spreads predominantly by airborne transmission therefore to minimise infections public health policies must aim to provide clean air within indoor environments." and if so why isn't this Government requiring higher standards of ventilation and air purification including in schools?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: In answer to the first part of the question yes. In answer to the last part of the member's question we've looked very closely at ventilation within schools in terms of what is the most effective way of delivering good ventilation in schools. And artificial ventilation systems—so air cleaners—don't replenish the air as frequently as opening the windows even a small amount.Teanau Tuiono: What advice has he received if any on the role of masks in reducing school transmission and does this suggest that the Government should be providing N19 N95 or equivalent masks to schools and mandating mask-use over winter?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: It very much depends on the context of the school environment in question. Yes masks still continue to play a useful role in schools. Schools determine their own approaches around mask-use depending on the particular risks that they are confronting and relevant to their particular circumstances. They have our full support where they decide that mask-use should still be required. And we are continuing and we have to provide to schools masks to make sure that cost is not a barrier.Teanau Tuiono: What steps if any has he taken to increase COVID-19 vaccination among tamariki Māori such as working alongside community providers or rolling out vaccinations at schools?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Increasing our tamariki vaccination rates remains a priority. We continue to work alongside local providers to make sure that vaccinations continue to roll out. We do have to acknowledge that vaccination rates amongst the youngest age cohort who are eligible—the five- to 11-year-olds—continues to be low. One of the reasons that we are hearing that second dosage or the rates of second dosing are lagging behind first doses is that a number of those children have subsequently had COVID-19 and therefore have to wait three months before they can get their second doses. There will be some who haven't yet had a first dose for the same reason; although that seems to be less of a factor in the first doses. We all have a challenge to ensure that we get our first dose rates up amongst that age cohort. Ultimately it's a parent's decision and we should all be enforcing the positive messages around the value of vaccination to the parents so that they have confidence in taking up that option."