Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North-West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

409. To ask the Minister for Health her progress to date in making the shingles vaccine (details supplied) available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18286/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Shingles vaccination is not currently provided as part of the national immunisation programme.

The ages at which vaccines are recommended in the national immunisation programme are chosen by NIAC in order to give each individual the best possible protection against vaccine preventable diseases.

As you are aware, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) recently carried 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.

HIQA published the HTA on 19 July 2024. The HTA found that adding the shingles vaccine to the schedule is not cost effective and is associated with a substantial budget impact. My Department has considered its findings and determined that the introduction of the vaccine can be reconsidered when cost effectiveness is more favourable.

Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North-West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

410. To ask the Minister for Health her progress to date in making a drug (details supplied) available for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18287/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on the pricing and reimbursement of medicines and medical devices; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.