Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Covid-19, influenza and pneumonia vaccines are currently available to certain groups of adults most vulnerable to a severe outcome from these diseases. This is available as part of the adult immunisation programme. The immunisation programme is based on the advice of the national immunisation advisory committee, NIAC. NIAC considers the prevalence of the relevant disease, as well as international best practice for immunisation when developing its advice. NIAC continues to revise recommendations to allow for the introduction of new vaccines and to keep abreast of changes in the patterns of diseases. Once a recommendation from NIAC is received and considered by the Chief Medical Officer, CMO, of my Department, a request can be made to NIAC to carry out a health technology assessment, HTA. This assessment looks at the evidence of the effectiveness and safety of the vaccine. The assessment also looks at value for money, cost and the organisational, social and ethical issues of providing a new vaccine. At present, HIQA is carrying out two HTAs in this area. The first is on a shingles vaccine and the second on an enhanced flu vaccine for those 65 and older. The outcomes of these HTAs will inform a decision on whether or not these vaccines will be included in the future in the national immunisation programme. Additional information on the current adult vaccine programme is available from the HSE website.

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