Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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760. To ask the Minister for Health if he will outline the specific timeline which he and his Departmental officials have given to HIQA to complete its HTA regarding the provision of an enhanced influenza vaccine for the over-65s age cohort; if he will outline the scope of this HTA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26183/23]

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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761. To ask the Minister for Health if he will consider expediting the conducting of a HTA to be carried out by HIQA into the provision of an enhanced influenza vaccine for the over-65s cohort; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26184/23]

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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762. To ask the Minister for Health the specific new steps his Department is taking to protect the most at-risk age cohorts in Ireland against influenza, in light of the excess mortality recorded in the most recent winter flu season; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26185/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 760, 761 and 762 together.

The National Influenza Vaccination Programme ensures that those most vulnerable to the effects of influenza have access to vaccination. By providing vaccination to those most at risk, and those most likely to require hospitalisation if they contract influenza, the programme aims to forestall, as far as possible, influenza-related hospital admissions, as well as to reduce the overall spread of influenza in the community. As part of the National Influenza Vaccination Programme the flu vaccine is available free of charge to those aged 65 and over and individuals in specified at-risk groups.

To inform decision making in relation to the current Influenza Vaccination Programme, my Department has requested that HIQA include a Health technology assessment (HTA) in its work programme, in relation to vaccination with an enhanced quadrivalent influenza vaccine for those aged 65 and older. In addition, my Department has also requested that HIQA include a HTA on the inclusion of the 50–64 year age group as an at-risk group in the influenza vaccination programme.

A HTA is a multidisciplinary research process that collects and summarises information about a health technology to provide information regarding clinical effectiveness and safety, cost-effectiveness and budget impact, organisational and social aspects, and ethical and legal issues. The information is collected and presented in a systematic, unbiased and transparent manner to inform policy decision making.

I am advised that HIQA will commence the HTA related to an enhanced quadrivalent influenza vaccine for those aged 65 and older once the HTA on the inclusion of the 50–64 year age group in the influenza vaccination programme is completed.