Respiratory physician Lutz Beckert considers chronic obstructive pulmonary disease management, including the prevention of COPD, the importance of smoking cessation and pulmonary rehabilitation, and the lifesaving potential of addressing treatable traits. He also discusses the logic of inhaler therapy, moving from single therapy to dual and triple therapy when indicated, as well as other aspects of management
COVID-19 Independent Safety Monitoring Board
COVID-19 Independent Safety Monitoring Board

As part of the COVID-19 vaccine and immunisation programme, a COVID-19 Independent Safety Monitoring Board has been established which is independent of the COVID-19 immunisation programme, Medsafe and Ministry of Health.
The expertise included on the board was guided by World Health Organization recommendations and currently includes, but is not limited to, the following specialities:
- Neurology
- General Medicine
- Clinical Pharmacology
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Pathology
- Paediatrics
- Biostatistics.
The board also holds a position for a lay person (non-healthcare professional) to represent consumer interests.
The purpose of the board is to provide expert advice on the safety of COVID-19 vaccine(s) during the national roll-out. It is intended that the board will provide advice to the Centre for Adverse Reactions Monitoring (CARM), Medsafe, the COVID-19 immunisation programme, and Ministry of Health on:
-
- the interpretation of the information;
- the significance of the information in relation to the risk-benefit profile of the vaccine;
- whether an issue needs referral to the Medicines Adverse Reactions Committee for advice or to Medsafe for consideration of possible regulatory intervention; and
- confirming CVIP procedures around safety surveillance;
- among other areas.
COVID-19 Vaccine Independent Safety Monitoring Board
Name |
Area of Expertise |
Position |
Mr John Tait (Chair) |
Obstetrics, Clinical Governance, and Leadership. |
Chief Medical Officer CCDHB; Consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist |
Dr Nick Cutfield |
Neurology |
Consultant Neurologist and Clinical Lead; Senior Lecturer |
Associate Professor Matt Doogue |
Clinical Pharmacology; Endocrinology |
Consultant physician in Clinical Pharmacology and General Medicine |
Dr Kyle Eggleton |
General Practice |
Kaupapa Māori Medical Officer at Ki A Ora Ngātiwai; Senior Lecturer |
Professor Chris Frampton |
Biostatistics |
Professor of Biostatistics |
Dr Maryann Heather |
General Practice; Pacific Health |
GP at South Seas Healthcare; Senior Lecturer |
Dr Tom Hills |
Immunology |
Chief Medical Resident, Immunology |
Honorary Associate Professor Hilary Longhurst |
Immunology; Pathology |
Senior Medical Officer, Immunology |
Professor Thomas Lumley |
Biostatistics |
Professor of Biostatistics |
Saskia Schuitemaker |
Lay person – to represent consumer interests |
Coordinator, Child and Youth Mortality review Group, Waikato District Health Board |
Dr Owen Sinclair, Te Rarawa |
Paediatrics, Māori Health |
Paediatrician WDHB |
Professor Lisa Stamp |
Rheumatology |
Professor in Medicine; Rheumatologist |
Dr Anja Werno |
Microbiology; Pathology |
Chief of Pathology & Medical Director of Microbiology, CHL; Clinical Senior Lecturer |
Dr Enver Yousuf |
General Medicine |
Senior Registrar CCDHB General Medicine |