Written answer
Vaccination Programme
The Minister said the shingles vaccine is currently not cost-effective for all people aged 65 and over, with a projected five-year cost of €218 million, but could become viable at reduced prices for targeted age groups. The Department is actively considering introducing it for immunocompromised people in line with NIAC advice and available funding.
3262. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if her Department have entered negotiations on a deal for the shingles vaccine (herpes zoster vaccine) for persons over 65 years of age as part of the National Immunisation Programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55473/26]
Comment on this
3278. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health if given the evidence to support the benefits of the shingles vaccine, known as shingrix, she will examine bringing forward a free or subsidised vaccination programme for people over 50 years of age as part of budget 2027; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55517/26]
Comment on this
I propose to take Questions Nos. 3262 and 3278 together.
Ireland's immunisation programme is informed by 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
The current NIAC guidelines state that the shingles vaccine may be considered for those aged 65 years and older, due to the greater burden and severity of disease in this age group and in those aged 18 years and older at increased risk of shingles.
The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has carried out a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) on the herpes zoster vaccine which protects against shingles. A HTA is a multidisciplinary research process that collects and summarises information about a health technology. HIQA’s HTA examined the evidence on the clinical effectiveness and safety of shingles vaccines. The cost effectiveness and budget impact were also reviewed, along with the ethical, social and organisational implications of including the vaccine in the adult immunisation schedule.
HIQA published this HTA on 19 July 2024. The HTA found that adding the shingles vaccine to the routine immunisation schedule, at the vaccine price at the time, for all adults aged 65 years and over would not be cost effective and would be associated with a substantial budget impact.
While the vaccine is considered safe and effective, its protective effect diminishes over time. HIQA also noted the substantial budget impact associated with vaccination. If made available to everyone aged 65 and older, vaccination would cost €218 million over five years.
Whilst the HTA found that the introduction of the shingles vaccine was not cost effective based on the cost of the vaccine, it found that it could be cost effective for vaccination of those at 75 years and 80 years if the cost of the vaccine was reduced by 80%.
Given that the healthcare budget is finite and decisions regarding increased spending relating to a change in one area could impact the provision of other health technologies and treatments within the healthcare system, the cost-effectiveness must be considered in any decision-making process.
My Department considered the findings of this HTA in 2024 and determined that the introduction of the vaccine could be reconsidered when the cost effectiveness of the vaccine is confirmed as being more favourable
I can confirm that the introduction of the shingles vaccine to the immunisation schedule in Ireland is again being actively considered for a cohort of immunocompromised individuals, in line with NIAC advice and cognisant of the cost effectiveness of market pricing and available funding.