Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the national immunisation advisory committee, NIAC, which continues to revise its recommendations having regard to the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practice in immunisation. The varicella vaccine is not currently included as part of the primary childhood immunisation programme but NIAC has recommended that the vaccine be included in the programme. Vaccines administered through the primary childhood immunisation programme are provided free of charge. The Department of Health asked HIQA to carry out a health technology assessment, HTA, on the varicella zoster vaccine, which was published in July 2023. HIQA found that there is clear and consistent evidence that the chickenpox vaccine is both safe and effective in preventing chickenpox and its complications. It also found that adding the chickenpox vaccine to the programme is likely to be cost effective. The office of the chief medical officer is considering the HTA findings and will make a recommendation to the Minister for Health which will inform the decision on the inclusion of the chickenpox vaccine in the primary childhood immunisation programme.

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