Vaccination Programme

Thursday, 23 November 2023

Questions (342, 343, 344)

Cathal Crowe

Question:

342. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if he will introduce a free shingles vaccination scheme for older adults; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51729/23]

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343. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the policy for increasing the number of vaccines available to adults to prevent against infectious diseases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51730/23]

View answer

Cathal Crowe

Question:

344. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the policy regarding life-course vaccination; his plans to introduce a comprehensive adult vaccination programme in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51731/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 342, 343 and 344 together.

Covid-19, influenza and pneumonia vaccines are currently available to certain groups of adults, who are most vulnerable to a severe outcome from these diseases, as part of the adult immunisation programme.The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). NIAC considers the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland as well as international best practice in relation to immunisation when developing its advice.NIAC continues to revise recommendations to allow for the introduction of new vaccines in Ireland and to keep abreast of changes in the patterns of disease.Once a recommendation from NIAC has been received and considered by the Chief Medical Officer of my Department, a request can be made to HIQA to carry out a Health Technology Assessment. This assessment looks at the evidence of the effectiveness and safety of the vaccine. The assessment also looks at the value for money, cost, organisational, social and ethical issues of providing a new vaccine.At present HIQA is carrying out two HTAs. The first is on the shingles vaccine and the second HTA is on an enhanced flu vaccine for those aged 65 years and older. The outcome of these HTAs will inform a decision in relation to whether or not these vaccines are included in the programme.Additional information in relation to the current adult vaccination programme is available from the HSE website at www.hse.ie

Question No. 343 answered with Question No. 342.

Question No. 344 answered with Question No. 342.