Doctor Shane Reti believes the Pfizer vaccine will act as a stop-gap measure in New Zealand, before other vaccines come on board.

Pfizer revealed this afternoon that its agreement with the New Zealand government only specifies it supply 1.5 million doses over the course of next year, rather than all in one go.

Doctor Reti, who is the National Party's Health spokesperson, told Heather Du Plessis-Allen that's not a matter of great concern, because there are better vaccines to come.

The Pfizer vaccine, which the UK has approved for use from next week, has to be stored at minus-70-degrees-Celsius.

COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins says we have some suitable freezers, and are buying new ones.

But he says it's an internationally competitive market.

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