Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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417. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 158 of 6 December 2023, to provide an update on the health technology assessment on the shingles (herpes zoster) vaccine; if the finalised report has been submitted to him following public consultation on the draft findings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30809/24]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm that the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) are currently carrying out a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) on the herpes zoster vaccine which protects against shingles. A HTA is a multidisciplinary research process that collects and summarises information about a health technology. The information can cover a range of fields, including 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.

The outcome of the HTA, once it is complete, will inform future decision making on this matter in relation to whether or not any amendments are required to the National Immunisation Programme.