Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 May 2026
1062. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if she will confirm if the infant RSV immunisation programme will continue for the coming year following a HIQA assessment on cost effectiveness; the additional factors, including indirect health system costs, winter capacity pressures, and equity of access, being considered by her Department and the HSE in any decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34293/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland'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.
Public health decisions around immunisation are evidence-based and are made for the wider benefit of the population.
My Department has agreed the scope of the RSV Infant Immunisation Pathfinder Programme for 2026/2027, which will be the same as for last season. That is, RSV immunisation will be offered to babies born in-season and infants aged 6 months old or younger at the start of the RSV season, in line with NIAC advice.
My Department is currently giving consideration to the findings and options set out in HIQA's recently published HTA on RSV immunisation for infant and adults, including operational and budgetary impacts, ahead of making a policy decision on a longer-term RSV Immunisation Strategy.
