Written answers

Wednesday, 28 April 2021

Department of Health

Vaccination Programme

Photo of Jennifer Murnane O'ConnorJennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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961. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the quarter 1 prioritisation exercise carried out by HIQA; if an evaluation of the varicella chickenpox vaccine has been included in this work; if this evaluation will be completed in time for consideration as part of the Budget 2022 process and implementation within the childhood immunisation programme as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21583/21]

Photo of Stephen DonnellyStephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The HIQA health technology assessment (HTA) topic identification and prioritisation process is currently underway.

The Varicella Zoster Vaccine was proposed for HTA by my Department in December 2019. Unfortunately, HIQA's HTA prioritisation process due to complete in Q1 2020 was paused as the HTA team was diverted to provide evidence synthesis to support the work of the NPHET and associated groups.

This topic will now be considered by HIQA during the 2021 prioritisation process and if prioritised will be included in the HIQA HTA work plan to be approved by the HIQA Board in July 2021.

The target dates for completion of each HTA will be outlined in the work plan.

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