Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
1232. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if, further to an announcement by HIQA (details supplied), he will commit to funding the introduction of a vaccine to the routine vaccine schedule for children. [36186/23]
View answer1366. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to providing the chicken pox varicella vaccine to all children through the infant and children’s immunisation programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36740/23]
View answer1409. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the projected cost of providing two doses of the chicken pox varicella vaccine free to all children through the primary or school child immunisation programme; the estimated annual cost of providing this in 2024; the estimated five-year cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37096/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1232, 1366 and 1409 together.
Varicella (chickenpox) is a common, highly infectious disease mainly affecting children under ten years of age caused by varicella-zoster virus (VZV). The Varicella vaccine is not currently included as part of the routine childhood immunisation schedule.
My Department asked the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) to carry out a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) on the Varicella Zoster Vaccine which was published on July 13th 2023.
HIQA found that there is clear and consistent evidence that the chickenpox vaccine is both safe and effective in preventing chickenpox and its complications. It also found that adding the chickenpox vaccine to the childhood immunisation programme is likely to be cost effective.
The HTA found that adding the vaccine to the childhood immunisation schedule would cost between €13 million and €28 million over the first five years, depending on whether one or two doses are given.
The HTA findings will be considered and will inform a decision in relation to the inclusion of the chickenpox vaccine in the childhood immunisation programme.
I have asked the HSE to respond directly in relation to the costing aspect of the question.
