John Paul O'Shea (Cork North-West, Fine Gael)
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200. To ask the Minister for Health if she will provide the minutes of all meetings and discussions in person or via any medium from within her Department, from within the HSE, and between her Department and the HSE, concerning the cancellation of the tender that would have seen the introduction of enhanced influenza vaccines for those over 65; if there are plans to expand or enhance immunisation programmes in 2026; if a related budgetary increase is planned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60403/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The HSE is responsible for the implementation and operation of the Influenza vaccination programme. This role includes procurement of the vaccine in line with EU and National Procurements rules.

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.

For 2025, a decision was made to expand the RSV infant immunisation programme to also include babies who are 6 months old or younger at the start of the RSV season as well as infants who are born during the RSV season. In addition, funding was provided for the addition of the Varicella (Chickenpox) vaccine programme.

Funding for specific programmes within the national immunisation programme will be considered as part of the 2026 Budget and Estimates process. The specific measures to be prioritised for additional funding in 2026 will be set out in a Letter of Determination to the HSE. This letter will reflect my key priorities for 2026 of improved access, quality and safety for those who use our services and value for money for the public more broadly.

The HSE will then prepare its National Service Plan for 2026, to be submitted to the Department for approval, setting out how the HSE will operationalise those priorities.