Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC).

NIAC continue to revise its recommendations having regard to of the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practice in relation to immunisation.

The varicella vaccine is not currently included as part of the primary childhood immunisation programme however NIAC has recommended that the vaccine is included in the programme.

My Department asked HIQA to carry out a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) on the Varicella Zoster Vaccine which was published on July 13th 2023.

HIQA found that there is clear and consistent evidence that the chickenpox vaccine is both safe and effective in preventing chickenpox and its complications. It also found that adding the chickenpox vaccine to the programme is likely to be cost effective.

Having considered the findings of the HTA, the Department has asked to HSE to provide detailed costings and an implementation plan which will inform a decision in relation to the inclusion of the chickenpox vaccine in the primary childhood immunisation programme.