Martin Daly (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail)
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186. To ask the Minister for Health if she plans to continue the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination programme into the future; the way in which the ongoing review by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) will inform long-term decisions on RSV immunisation; the expected timelines for the publication of HIQA’s full health technology assessment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6697/26]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The immunisation programme in Ireland 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.

My Department has agreed the scope of the RSV Infant Immunisation Pathfinder Programme for 2026/2027, which will be the same as for the current season. That is, provision of RSV immunisation for babies born in-season and infants aged 6 months old or younger at the start of the RSV season, in line with NIAC advice.

A Health Technology Assessment, (HTA), specific to RSV immunisation for infants and adults is currently being undertaken by the Health Information and Quality Authority, (HIQA). A HTA looks at the clinical effectiveness, safety and cost of different health technologies. An economic evaluation is generally undertaken as part of a HTA and it compares the costs and benefits of different choices to guide resource optimisation.

The HIQA public consultation process closed on 20 January 2026. Following this consultation, the report will be finalised and submitted as advice to my Department. The outcome of the HTA will inform the development of any longer-term programme and future decision making specific to RSV immunisation in Ireland.