I propose to take Questions Nos. 889 and 890 together.
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. It makes recommendations on vaccination policy to my Department. 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. Therefore, the immunisation schedule will continue to be amended over time.
As you are aware, my Department is awaiting guidance from NIAC in relation to the clinical effectiveness of providing the HPV vaccine to:
- girls and boys in secondary school who were eligible to receive HPV vaccine in 1st year but who did not receive it; and
- women up to the age of 25 years who have left secondary school and who did not receive the vaccine when eligible.
Since 2020, NIAC's has been significantly engaged in the evaluation of COVID-19 vaccines and making recommendations on their use in respect of the population living in Ireland. This work is ongoing in the context of the requirement to consider booster vaccination programmes. Other workstreams under the remit of NIAC include the HPV vaccination programme. I am advised that NIAC hopes to make a recommendation on the HPV mop-up programme as soon as possible.
If NIAC concludes that there is sufficient evidence to support the provision of HPV vaccine to one or more of the groups set out above, HIQA will undertake a cost-effectiveness assessment on that basis.
