Documents comparing health outcomes between children that have received vaccines and children that have never received any vaccines.
Dear Department of Health,
Under the FOI Act, I would like to ask for the documents comparing health outcomes between children that have received vaccines and children that have never received any vaccines.
Yours faithfully,
Jaay-H
Attention: Jaay-H
I refer to your request of 29 September 2020 sent to the Department of
Health (department) seeking under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI
Act) to the following documents:
‘documents comparing health outcomes between children that have received
vaccines and children that have never received any vaccines’
I note you have lodged an FOI request for the same documents with the
Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
This email is to notify you the TGA is a division of the Department of
Health. While there are two separate FOI Units, both of those FOI Units
are part of one agency.
Where an FOI request seeks documents held by the TGA and other areas of
the Department of Health, the FOI Units work together to ensure all
documents held by the Department, including those held by the TGA, are
captured.
Therefore, it is not necessary to submit two FOI requests to access all
relevant documents held by the TGA and other areas within the Department
of Health.
Based on the above explanation, could you please confirm that you are
happy to combine your requests to the TGA and the department, into one
request. If so, the FOI Unit attached to the Department of Health will
process your FOI request.
Your response by COB Thursday, 1 October 2020 would be appreciated.
Please contact the FOI Unit if you have any questions.
Kind regards
FOI Officer
FOI and Legislation Support Section
[1]cid:image003.png@01D51610.1D98D220
Legal & Assurance Division | Corporate Operations Group
Legal Advice & Legislation Branch
Australian Government Department of Health
T: 02 6289 1666 | E: [2][Health request email]
GPO Box 9848, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
The Department of Health acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of
Australia and their continued connection to land, sea and community. We
pay our respects to all Elders past and present.
If you receive this email in error, please delete it and contact the
sender immediately.
Dear FOI,
Thank you for the correction, I did not realise the two organisations were the same.
Please manage the requests as a single request.
Yours sincerely,
Jaay-H
Dear Jaay-H,
I am writing to notify you that on 29 September 2020 the Department of
Health (department) received your request for access to documents under
the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) as follows:
Documents comparing health outcomes between children that have received
vaccines and children that have never received any vaccines.
Request for extension of time
The department is actively processing your request and is aiming to
finalise it as quickly as possible. However, the department is currently
experiencing an increased workload to manage and respond to the
coronavirus pandemic, with a large amount of resources being diverted to
do so. The content of your request means that any documents that exist
would sit with the line area who has responsibility for the department’s
continued response to the coronavirus.
On this basis, the department is seeking an extension of 14 calendar days,
with a decision to be provided to you no later than COB Thursday 12
November 2020.
Clarifying scope
The department is seeking to clarify the scope of your request in order to
continuing processing. The relevant line area has found that your request
is too broad. It is unclear of the question you are hoping to resolve
based on your request. In its current form, we could not conduct
preliminary searches for documents that relate to your request. As such,
the department is of the view the request currently does not provide
information to enable an officer to identify it, potentially leading to a
‘practical refusal’ decision being made under section 24AA of the FOI Act.
Response due date
On this basis, could you please advise the department by COB Friday, 23
October 2020 if you agree to the request for extension of time as well as
clarification on the scope of your request.
If you require clarification of any of the matters discussed in this email
you should contact the department’s FOI Unit on (02) 6289 1666, or by
email at [1][email address].
Kind regards,
FOI Officer
FOI and Legislation Section
[2]cid:image003.png@01D51610.1D98D220
Legal Advice & Legislation Branch
Legal & Assurance Division | Corporate Operations Group
Australian Government Department of Health
T: 02 6289 1666 | E: [3][Health request email]
GPO Box 9848, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
The Department of Health acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of
Australia and their continued connection to land, sea and community. We
pay our respects to all Elders past and present.
If you receive this email in error, please delete it and contact the
sender immediately.
Dear FOI,
Thank you for consulting me.
I am satisfied with the request to extend the timeframe.
The Department has advised that "All vaccines used in Australia are thoroughly tested before they are approved. They are monitored continuously for safety. Before vaccines become available to the public, large clinical trials test them on thousands of people."
I would like a copy of the documents in the Department's possession which compare the health outcomes between children that have received vaccines and children that have never received any vaccines
Yours sincerely,
Jaay-H
Dear Jaay-H
Please find attached correspondence in relation to your FOI request to the
Department of Health.
Kind regards
FOI Unit – FOI and Legislation Support Section
[1]cid:image003.png@01D51610.1D98D220
Legal and Assurance Division | Corporate Operations Group
Legal Advice and Legislation Branch
Australian Government Department of Health
T: 02 6289 1666 | E: [2][Health request email]
GPO Box 9848, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
The Department of Health acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of
Australia and their continued connection to land, sea and community. We
pay our respects to all Elders past and present.
If you receive this email in error, please delete it and contact the
sender immediately.