Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 February 2018
444. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 383, 384, 385, 410, 411 and 412 of 30 January 2018, the person or body that made the decision to provide a trivalent rather than quadrivalent vaccine as part of the HSE’s winter initiative plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6038/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra445. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 383, 384, 385, 410, 411 and 412 of 30 January 2018, if the World Health Organization has recommended trivalent and not quadrivalent vaccines to be used here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6039/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 444 and 445 together.
Influenza vaccine is most effective when circulating viruses are well-matched with viruses contained in vaccines. Due to the constant evolving nature of influenza viruses, the WHO Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System – a system of National Influenza Centres and WHO Collaborating Centres around the world – continuously monitors the influenza viruses circulating in humans and updates the composition of influenza vaccines twice a year. For many years, WHO has updated its recommendation on the composition of the vaccine (trivalent) that targets the three most representative virus types in circulation (two subtypes of influenza A viruses and one influenza B virus) and since the 2013–2014 northern hemisphere influenza season, a fourth component is recommended to support quadrivalent vaccine development. Quadrivalent vaccines include a 2nd influenza B virus in addition to the viruses in trivalent vaccines
The influenza vaccine purchased by HSE is based on WHO advice on the composition of influenza virus vaccines for use in the 2017/8 northern hemisphere Flu season issued on 2 March 2017. It recommended that trivalent vaccines for use in the 2017-2018 northern hemisphere influenza season contain the following:
- an A/Michigan/45/2015 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
- an A/Hong Kong/4801/2014 (H3N2)-like virus; and
- a B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus.
In Ireland the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) an independent committee of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland which comprises experts in a number of specialties including infectious diseases, paediatrics, and public health makes recommendation on vaccination policy in Ireland. Their recommendations are based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practice in relation to immunisation. This season (2017/18) the HSE procured the trivalent inactivated Influenza vaccine (Split Virion) BP seasonal influenza vaccine for all those in the recommended at risk groups and health care workers and carers. The trivalent vaccine used in Ireland is the most widely used influenza vaccine in Europe.
Initial evidence suggests that the vaccine provides higher protection against the Influenza A strains than recent years (H3N2 & H1N1). While it is less effective against the B strains predominating this year, people who received the flu. Vaccination remains the most effective means of preventing infection by seasonal influenza viruses and can reduce severe disease that can lead to hospitalisation and death.
