So far this year, HIQA’s Evidence Synthesis Team has published over 40 documents to support the National Public Health Emergency Team’s decision-making on COVID-19.
The evidence summaries, rapid reviews and advice documents aim to inform national strategic decision-making.
The evidence syntheses are performed at the request of the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) and related groups tasked with the national COVID-19 response. This work helps ensure rapid access to the best available evidence relevant to SARS-CoV-2 to inform decision-making at each stage of the pandemic.
Last week, we published our latest advice on extremely medically vulnerable groups. The evidence from scientific research studies, as well as the evidence used by international organisations to inform the classification of those at highest risk of severe illness from COVID-19, does not currently support the removal of any of the groups categorised as ‘extremely medically vulnerable’. The most consistent finding in the international literature was that those aged 70 years and older are at an increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
However, it is important for individuals to consider their own level of risk. For example, adults aged 50 years and older with multiple chronic conditions, living under circumstances of increased deprivation are not included in the ‘extremely medically vulnerable’ category, but are at increased risk of severe disease if they develop COVID-19.
All vulnerable groups should be extra vigilant and follow HSE infection prevention and control guidance due to the potentially increased risk of experiencing severe illness due to COVID-19.
We advised NPHET on the need for clarity of communication regarding the groups listed as ‘extremely medically vulnerable’, particularly in relation to the criteria for being included within one of these categories.
We also recently published an international review of public health measures and strategies to limit the spread of COVID-19. With a resurgence of coronavirus cases across Europe and an increase in hospitalisations, many countries have renewed their public health policies and restrictions to limit the spread of COVID-19. We examined the measures and strategies taken by 17 jurisdictions that were experiencing a second wave of coronavirus cases from October 2020.
Find out more about our work here.