Colm Brophy
Question:490. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of making the shingles vaccine free of charge to at risk cohorts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45881/24]
View answerThursday, 7 November 2024
Questions (490)
Written answers
Shingles vaccination is not currently provided as part of the national immunisation programme but it is open to any individual who is aged 50 years and older and who wishes to receive the vaccine to consult with their GP or pharmacist.
The shingles vaccine is not available through the medical card or drug payment schemes.
The ages at which vaccines are recommended in the national immunisation programme are chosen by NIAC in order to give each individual the best possible protection against vaccine preventable diseases.
The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) recently 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. The information can cover a range of fields, including clinical effectiveness and safety, cost-effectiveness and budget impact, organisational and social aspects, and ethical and legal issues. The information is collected and presented in a systematic, unbiased and transparent manner.
HIQA published the HTA on 19 July 2024. The HTA found that adding the shingles vaccine to the schedule is not cost effective and is associated with a substantial budget impact. My Department has considered its findings and determined that the introduction of the vaccine can be reconsidered when cost effectiveness is more favourable.
HIQA's HTA estimated that the five-year incremental budget for eligible immunocompromised persons, as recommended by NIAC (with 100% coverage), was estimated at €56.2 million.
The HTA estimated the five-year incremental budget impact of a shingles vaccination programme with 50% uptake for
• adults as they turn 65 years old (no catch-up for older adults) would be €53.3 million;
• all adults aged 65 years and older as recommended by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) would be €218 million.