As you consider making use of the assistance and resources of the Vax Help team, you may have some questions about privacy. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions.

1. Is Sanitarium allowed to record information about my vaccination status?
   1. The only data we will record in relation to the COVID vaccination is your name and the date you received your $100 BetterU incentive reward from Sanitarium.  All other data received for the purposes of making a vaccination booking on your behalf will be destroyed as soon as a booking is secured.
2. How/where is information about my vaccination status stored?
   1. The only data we will record in relation to the COVID vaccination is your name and the date you received your $100 BetterU incentive reward from Sanitarium.  Only aggregated employee data as to who have received a vaccination is reported to the senior leadership team.  Data is never reported on an individual or small team basis.
3. What happens to the information (Medicare number, medical condition/s, medications) I share with the Vax Help team?
   1. The information may be noted for the purposes of completing a vaccination booking on your behalf if you ask the team to do that for you.  After the booking is confirmed with you any information you provided for the purposes of making the booking will be destroyed.
4. How do I know that my medical information will be treated with confidentiality?
   1. Our Vax Team staff are members of the Sanitarium family.  They understand the importance of confidentiality and privacy.  They are also obligated to a non-disclosure agreement they have each signed.  They are trained in the systems and processes related to providing this employee service.  The training includes the deletion of medical information provided by you for the purposes of making the vaccination booking.
5. Are businesses allowed do keep medical records? I thought that was not allowed as it’s a breach of the Privacy Act.
   1. It’s good that you are aware and thoughtful about your private information.  We are respectful of your privacy too, so we have checked the relevant legislation to ensure the service we offer you takes the right approach.

Paraphrasing the New Zealand Privacy Principles; a private sector employer’s handling of employee records is exempt where the information directly relates to a current or former employee record.  There are also further related obligations for a company’s response to Coronavirus (COVID-19) [link].  This includes:

• The organisation has an obligation to maintain a safe workplace for staff and visitors
• The information is reasonably necessary or directly related to the prevention or management of COVID-19 in the workplace.

We encourage you to review the New Zealand Privacy Principles if you have any further questions.

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Contact our Vax Help Team – AMU Heather/Komal/Amy, DC Samadhi Perera, NZO Hayley Duncan/DebbieW