Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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NIAC has submitted advice to my Department which advises that RSV vaccines, which have recently received EMA authorisation, for infants and persons over 65yrs, are safe and effective and should be considered for use in Ireland. In its advice NIAC also noted that further analysis of cost effectiveness and programmatic considerations is required to determine the most appropriate use of RSV vaccination in Ireland.

Following consideration of NIAC's advice, my Department asked HIQA to carry out a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) to determine firstly, whether infant or adult vaccination would provide the greatest benefit in reducing healthcare utilisation due to RSV infection, and secondly, what the most cost-effective RSV immunisation strategy for Ireland would be.

The request was revised in light of the recent RSV season and in December, my Department requested that HIQA initially undertake a rapid HTA of infant immunisation against RSV in Ireland. This will be followed by a full HTA on immunisation against RSV in Ireland, which will include infant and older adults.

By prioritising the HTA for infants my Department wishes to ensure that there is an evidence base for the implementation of a programme for the group where the burden of disease is most significant. The outcome of the full HTA will inform the development of any RSV immunisation programme, including what, if any, age groups should be offered a vaccine.