Vaccination Programme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 November 2023

Wednesday, 8 November 2023

Ceisteanna (127)

Marc MacSharry

Ceist:

127. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health when a decision is expected to be made by his Department on providing the varicella vaccine to children in Ireland as part of the national immunisation programme, considering the results of the positive HTA outcome in July 2023, the response of the National Immunisation Lead from 8 August 2023 which stated that “it is currently not Department of Health immunisation policy to provide varicella vaccine”, and his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 511 of 24 October 2023, which outlined “the Department has asked to HSE to provide detailed costings and an implementation plan which will inform a decision in relation to the inclusion of the chickenpox vaccine in the primary childhood immunisation programme”; where this decision making process is at currently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48927/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC).

NIAC continue to revise its recommendations having regard to of the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practice in relation to immunisation. As the Deputy is aware, the varicella vaccine is not currently included as part of the primary childhood immunisation programme however NIAC has recommended that the vaccine is included in the programme.

My Department asked 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 programme is likely to be cost effective.

Having considered the findings of the HTA, the Department has asked to HSE to provide detailed costings and an implementation plan which will inform a decision in relation to the inclusion of the chickenpox vaccine in the primary childhood immunisation programme. These costings and plan have not yet been received by the Department.