A High Court judge has declined the bid of a group of parents to temporarily halt the Covid-19 vaccine rollout for children.
Justice Rebecca Ellis released her decision yesterday afternoon, saying that even if she had accepted the group’s position or the case had serious merit, the adverse repercussions of pushing pause on the rollout for 5 to 11-year-olds counted against a ruling in their favour.
Justice Ellis referenced a large number of repercussions that had been outlined by director-general of health Dr Ashley Bloomfield.
Those repercussions included denying those families who wish to have their children vaccinated the chance to do so, disruption to the lives of children who have already received their first dose, and the flow-on disruption to the everyday lives of children.
Justice Ellis also referenced the continued inequitable impact of Covid on Maori, Pacific communities and disabled people, and how halting the rollout would impede the Crown’s efforts to meet its obligations to Maori under the Treaty of Waitangi.
"They confirm my already clear view that the application for interim orders should be declined."
The eight parents. whose names are suppressed, are suing the Government to urgently stop the vaccine rollout and say despite the judge’s ruling, they are "committed to continuing their fight".
A spokesman from the Hood NZ, a group in support of the parents, said it was disappointed but not surprised at the decision.
The group of parents includes an electrician, two stay-at-home parents, a service assistant, a quality assurance manager, a company director, a civil engineer and an unemployed woman.
All have children aged between 5 and 11.
-- HAZEL OSBORNE
