Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)

I thank the Deputy once again for raising this important matter. Vaccination is recognised as one of the most impactful and cost-effective public health interventions that can be employed, promoting good health and saving many lives year on year. As has already been highlighted today, shingles can impact anyone who has been infected with chicken pox during their life, leaving a significant proportion of the general population vulnerable. Up to one in three people who have had chicken pox will go on to have shingles. It is for this reason that the Department requested that HIQA carry out a HTA to review the evidence for adding shingles vaccination to the adult immunisation schedule in Ireland. It is hoped that the introduction of the shingles vaccination to the immunisation schedule can be reconsidered if and when the cost-effectiveness of the vaccine is confirmed as being more favourable.

The Deputy will be aware that the immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of NIAC. The committee's recommendations are based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practice in relation to immunisation. To protect the public from serious outcomes of diseases, vaccines which are included in the national immunisation programme are administered free of charge to those who are in eligible at-risk groups.

More generally, I urge all those who are eligible for any vaccine under the national immunisation programme at all stages of life to avail of the opportunity to be vaccinated. The discussion here today is timely as the HSE launched flu and Covid-19 vaccination programmes earlier this month. All who are eligible for the free vaccine should make their appointment to receive it. In addition, I encourage all parents to bring their young infants, in line with the primary childhood immunisation schedule, to the GP for their important childhood immunisations. Babies born during the RSV season are eligible for RSV immunisation and will be offered immunisation at the relevant maternity hospital. These measures will help us reach the shared objective of protecting public health by preventing the spread of disease in our community.

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