Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 May 2026
1182. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health to confirm that there are no plans to cancel the RSV immunisation programme for infants in Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34952/26]
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.
My Department has agreed the scope of a national 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.
