Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank all the Deputies who contributed to this important debate.

It is important to note that peaks of mortality are not unusual in winter, most commonly as a result of factors such as cold snaps and the increased circulation of respiratory viruses, in particular viruses with epidemic and pandemic potential such as Covid-19 and the flu. The Health Protection and Surveillance Centre reported significant excess all-cause mortality in Ireland during the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic and again in January and February 2021 during the third wave of the pandemic. Those aged 75 years and older were most affected. During these two periods, excess mortality reached the highest levels ever recorded in Ireland since data become available in 2009. The HPSC also observed a period of significant excess mortality during December 2022 and January 2023, over five consecutive weeks. Influenza activity was at very high levels in Ireland during December 2022 and January 2023, with a high number of influenza hospitalisations reported. Excess all-cause mortality has been observed in previous seasons when influenza viruses circulated at high levels in Ireland and Europe, such as during the 2017 to 2018 flu season.

The HPSC has extensive ongoing surveillance in place to monitor morbidity and mortality associated with Covid-19, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, RSV, and other respiratory viruses and liaises closely with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and the World Health Organization. Considerable ongoing public health measures are implemented, including Covid-19 and flu vaccination, antivirals for treatment and prophylaxis and various non-pharmacological interventions in order to reduce associated morbidity and mortality. These measures include a programme for the administration of Covid-19 booster vaccines and influenza vaccines for vulnerable populations and those most at risk of severe infection.

Covid-19 and influenza vaccination provides the best protection for vulnerable populations and those most at risk of severe disease and death. It is widely recognised that vaccines save lives. They are a simple and effective measure that help reduce our risk of becoming ill from viruses and they also help prevent the spread of infection.

The HPSC conducted a Covid-19 vaccine impact study from December 2021 to March 2023. An adapted formula from an internationally recognised and peer-reviewed methodology was used to estimate Covid-19 vaccine impact in Ireland during the Omicron period. National surveillance data on notified outcomes, national vaccine coverage data and vaccine effectiveness estimates sourced from the World Health Organization’s live systematic review of vaccine effectiveness were used to estimate the impact of the vaccination programme. Between December 2021 and March 2023, the study estimated that the Covid-19 vaccination programme in Ireland prevented the following outcomes: 102,000 hospitalisations with Covid-19; 3,300 intensive care unit, ICU, admissions due to Covid-19; and 16,000 deaths due to Covid-19. The study concluded that during an Omicron period from December 2021 to March 2023, the Covid-19 vaccination programme prevented Covid-19 related illness, including ICU admissions and deaths due to Covid-19. Vaccination therefore protected population health and capacity in the healthcare system. The benefits of vaccination are ongoing, emphasising the importance of vaccination.

The Covid-19 booster vaccine is currently available free of charge to certain groups, including those aged 50 and older. The flu vaccine is also available for free to certain at-risk groups, including those aged 65 and older. The alignment of Ireland’s Covid-19 and influenza vaccination programmes during the autumn and winter period of 2023 will serve as a critical enabler to maximise uptake of both vaccines to eligible cohorts, where possible and appropriate.

Again, I thank all those who contributed to today’s interesting discussion and important debate. I reiterate that a significant amount of ongoing work is being undertaken on mortality trends in Ireland. I take this opportunity to reinforce the need for timely death registration data. I outlined earlier the ongoing work that is being undertaken by the Department of Social Protection, the General Register Office, the Department of Health, the HSE and the Central Statistics Office to improve the process, including timeliness, of death registration. I welcome a speedy completion of the technical, procedural and legislative changes required to enable more timely access to death registration data.

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