Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am asking the Minister for Health to initiate a health technology assessment for an RSV vaccine following recent National Immunisation Advisory Committee, NIAC, approval, particularly in light of the large increase of hospital admissions of patients with respiratory infections. Respiratory viruses are reportable since 2012 and the figures are frightening. Last year, for the 2022-23 winter months, 7,759 cases were reported; 2,231 of those were people over 60 years and over 636 ended up in emergency departments in our hospitals. Across Europe, over 274,000 hospitalisations for RSV have been identified and there have been 20,000 fatalities over the last 12 months.

The vaccine has been approved by the European Medicines Agency since June. The question now is whether we take a decision to make vaccines available. There are two very vulnerable groups, namely those under two years and those over 65. There is a question about assessing cost and implementation but it is also about saving lives. In real terms, it will save huge money because there would be fewer admissions to hospitals and fewer people needing to go to their GPs and requiring care. I ask that the Minister prioritise this issue, that vaccines would be approved and that we would set out a clear programme on their delivery over a very short timeframe.

See this speech in context