Erin McGreehan (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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357. To ask the Minister for Health the amount spent on the flu vaccine for each of the last three winter periods; to outline any plans to expand the scope of the flu vaccine for the upcoming winter period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51093/25]

Erin McGreehan (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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358. To ask the Minister for Health if she or her Department has updated the plans to ensure greater availability of the flu vaccine this winter for at risk and vulnerable citizens; whether she has engaged with the pharmacist and general practitioner groupings to discuss the planned roll out of the flu vaccine; whether a cost-benefit analysis has been carried out by the Government in relation to the type of vaccines available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51094/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 357 and 358 together.

The National Immunisation Programme in Ireland, which includes the influenza immunisation programme, is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The committee's recommendations are based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practice in relation to immunisation. NIAC make recommendations on vaccination policy to my Department.

The National Influenza Vaccination Programme ensures that those most vulnerable to the effects of influenza have access to the flu vaccine, free of charge. By providing vaccination to those most at risk, and those most likely to require admission to hospital should they contract influenza, the programme aims to prevent, as far as possible, the need for influenza-related hospital admissions, as well as to reduce the overall spread of influenza in the community.

For the 2025/2026 flu season, the flu vaccine will be available free of charge to adults over 60 years, individuals in specified at-risk groups and children aged from 2 to 17 years. The flu vaccine is available from local GPs or pharmacies throughout the flu season.

The HSE is responsible for the implementation and operation of the Influenza vaccination programme. This role includes engagement with GPs and pharmacists in relation to the administration of the flu vaccine as well as the procurement of the vaccines and related expenditure. This information is commercially sensitive and therefore cannot be shared.

In advance of any change in policy, my Department can request that the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) carry out an evaluation of the impacts of potential policy changes. HIQA has a statutory remit, under the Health Act 2007, to evaluate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of health technologies, providing advice to the Minister for Health and to the Health Service Executive (HSE) on budget impact, organisational and social aspects, and ethical and legal issues.

These evaluations take the form of Health Technology Assessments (HTAs). A HTA is a multidisciplinary research process that collects and summarises information about a health technology in a systematic, unbiased and transparent manner. The use of the HTA facility assists decision makers in assessing the merits and potential shortcomings of a new health technology, policy or service based on accurate and reliable evidence.

HIQA has carried out a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) which notes that while studies on enhanced flu vaccines are limited, based on the available data, offering an aQIV or a high dose flu vaccine to those aged 65 and over would likely reduce the burden of flu. It further notes that whether this change would be a good use of public funding depends on the price of the vaccine.

On that basis the HSE was asked to commence a tender process to determine if the enhanced vaccines could be purchased at a price that was cost effective. The HSE advised my Department that neither of the enhanced vaccines for older people met the criteria set out in the HTA for net monetary benefit compared to standard flu vaccine.

Given that the healthcare budget is finite and decisions regarding increased spending relating to a change in one area could impact the provision of other health technologies and treatments within the healthcare system, the cost-effectiveness must be considered in any decision-making process.

My Department has considered the position and has determined that the introduction of an enhanced vaccine for the older age groups can be reconsidered when cost effectiveness is more favourable.