491. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the vaccine that will be on offer as part of the HSE’s autumn/winter vaccination campaign; if it will be a three-in-one vaccine (details supplied); if so, to whom this three-in-one vaccine will be offered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39648/24]

This Winter, COVID-19 and Flu Vaccines will be delivered to eligible individuals by GPs and pharmacists. In addition, an infant Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Immunisation Pathfinder Programme will run between September 2024 and February 2025.

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.

COVID-19 Autumn/Winter Vaccination Programme 2024/2025.

Ireland’s COVID-19 Autumn/Winter 2024 Vaccination programme commenced on September 30th.

A COVID-19 Winter Booster dose will be offered to the following cohorts:

• Those aged 60 years and older

• Those aged 18-59 years living in long term care facilities for older adults

• Those aged 6 months-59 years with: immunocompromise associated with a suboptimal response to vaccination, medical conditions associated with a higher risk of COVID-19 hospitalisation, severe disease or death.

• Healthcare workers

• Pregnant adolescents and adults.

NIAC will continue to examine emerging evidence regarding booster vaccines for others in the population where there is evidence of waning immunity and reduced effectiveness and will make further recommendations if required.

Seasonal Influenza (flu) Vaccination Programme 2024/2025.

The seasonal flu vaccination programme for 2024/2025 will commence in early October.

For the coming flu season the flu vaccine will be offered free of charge to the following eligible groups:

• Adults aged 60 years and over

• Individuals in specified health related at-risk groups

• Children aged 2 to 17 years

• Healthcare workers

The flu vaccine is available free of charge to individuals in these specified eligible groups from local GPs or pharmacies throughout the flu season which runs until late April.

Adults aged 60 – 64 have been included as eligible groups in the flu programme for the 2024/2025 season and future seasons.

RSV Immunisation Programme.

An infant Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Immunisation Pathfinder Programme will run between September 2024 and February 2025.

All newborn infants born during the programme will be offered immunisation against RSV after birth on site in Irish maternity hospitals. This immunisation will protect newborn infants when they are most vulnerable to the complications of RSV during the winter period when infection rates are at their highest.

As well as protecting newborn infants, this programme will help maintain health service capacity during this coming winter season. This is a temporary programme put in place as an interim measure pending the outcome of a Health Technology Assessment on RSV immunisation currently being undertaken by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA).As well as protecting infants against serious illness, this pathfinder programme also offers the HSE an opportunity to establish working mechanisms and to evaluate the programme. It is a strategic initiative designed to explore innovative approaches to improving health outcomes within a community or population. Such programmes often serve as pilots or models that, if successful, can be scaled up and replicated in other settings.

The outcome of the HTA, and learnings from the pathfinder programme once complete, will inform the development of any longer-term programme and future decision making on this matter.