SUBJECT: OPEN LETTER & OFFICIAL INFORMATION ACT REQUEST – COVID-19 VACCINE INJURY CLAIMS AND FATALITIES
Dear Hon Minister Scott Simpson and Government Services,
I am writing to you today via this Open Letter to seek urgent clarification regarding the data surrounding COVID-19 vaccine injury claims and fatalities in New Zealand.
While statistical reports often focus on figures and percentages, we must not lose sight of the human reality behind them. Your January 2026 update acknowledges that six New Zealanders have now lost their lives due to the COVID-19 vaccine. These are six families who have been left devastated, and six individuals who paid the ultimate price after doing what was asked of them by their government.
Beyond these tragic fatalities, there are thousands more who are navigating life with serious and often permanent injuries. For these New Zealanders, transparency and formal recognition from the State are not just administrative requirements, they are the first steps toward healing.
Also I have concerns around the information that is not in the pro-active release out today. A200Covid-19-vaccination-claims-refresh-january-2026.pdf
To ensure public transparency and to reconcile these discrepancies, I am submitting the following questions under the Official Information Act:
Data & Financial Accountability
- Permanent Injury Costs: What is the total compensation paid to the 18 permanent injury claimants? (I note these are currently excluded from the $16,877,835 figure provided).
- Fatality Compensation: What is the total amount paid to the families/relatives of those deceased due to the vaccine? (The fatality payout seems to be excluded from the $16,877,835 total )
- Age Profiles: What are the ages of the 6 individuals whose deaths were attributed to the vaccine?
- Age Demographic: How many of these individuals were under the age of 30?
- Legal Proceedings: How many COVID-19 vaccine-related ACC claims are currently within the Court system?
- Independent Reviews: How many claims are currently in the independent review process (combined total for Fairway Resolutions and ICRA and anyother review agency)?
- Permanent Claim Injuries: How many approved claims ACC 554 for Permanent Claim injury for Covid 19 Vaccine injuries are currently in process
- Independent reviews on approved claims: For claims that have already been 'Accepted' for cover: How many of these accepted claimants are currently in the independent review process (with Fairway or ICRA) specifically disputing ACC’s refusal to pay Weekly Compensation (for loss of earnings) or , permanent injury claim or any other payments or medical needs.
- Medical Evidence: Of the 2,693 declined claims, how many included supporting letters, formal diagnoses, or other clinical documentation from Doctors and Specialists that attributed the injury to the Covid-19 vaccine?
- Claims for Death: How many claims have there been for fatalities from the Covid 19 Vaccine that have been declined by ACC ?
Scott, I am making this an Open Letter because the public deserves to see these figures handled with the care and empathy they require. For those who have lost loved ones or are suffering life-altering injuries, the current lack of transparency is a barrier to healing.
These individuals did what the government of the day asked of them. It is time for a formal apology and a shift in how the state supports those who have been harmed.
I encourage you to view the testimonies of the vaccine-injured at The Tribute NZ (https://www.youtube.com/@TheTributeNZ). Tomorrow, we will release the account of a 17-year-old’s horrific experience with ACC and members of the medical fraternity. We will continue to release these heartbreaking stories weekly until these voices are heard and we have the testimonies from every vaccine injured kiwi for historical and future accountability.
l look forward to your prompt response to these questions. More importantly, I look forward to a meaningful acknowledgement of the New Zealanders who have been vaccine-injured and a respectful recognition of those who have lost their lives to the vaccine and their loved ones. These citizens deserve more than just data points; they deserve justice and a government that acknowledges their reality with both transparency and empathy.
Kind regards,
Aly Cook
Mother of a Covid 19 Vaccine injured Son
Musician and Publicist