We have submitted a rapid health technology assessment of immunisation against RSV as advice to the Minister for Health and the Health Service Executive.
This assessment will inform an interim policy decision on the most appropriate immunisation strategy for the 2025-2026 RSV season.
We looked at the one-year costs for the HSE of different immunisation strategies involving infants aged less than one year and for adults aged 65 and older.
Speaking about the findings, Dr Máirín Ryan, our Deputy CEO and Director of Health Technology Assessment, said: “Since 2022, new medicinal products have become available to protect infants and older adults against RSV. Clinical trial data and emerging real-world evidence support the safety and effectiveness of these products.
“There would be substantial organisational challenges associated with extending RSV immunisation to the general infant and or older adult population, given the large number of individuals involved and the aim to maximise uptake within a short time frame before the start of the RSV season.”
The estimated one-year cost to the HSE of immunising infants during their first RSV season ranged from €3.9 million to €19 million, depending on the approach taken. These costs would be partially offset by the fact that fewer infants would require hospital care.
Offering a vaccine to everyone aged 65 years and older was estimated to cost €146 million, while it would cost over €76 million if only offered to those aged 75 years and older. The potential for cost offsets in older adults was noted to be low as there are relatively few confirmed hospitalisations for RSV in this age group.
The advice also outlines that it will be important to collect data to support the ongoing evaluation of the effectiveness of any programme that is implemented.
We will now conduct a larger assessment to provide advice to inform a longer-term policy decision about RSV immunisation.
This will include emerging international evidence as well as experience from the HSE’s RSV Immunisation Pathfinder Programme, which is being piloted for the upcoming 2024-2025 season.
RSV is a highly contagious virus that infects the lungs and upper airways and is transmitted by coughing, sneezing or breathing.
This virus spreads every winter, with the RSV season in Ireland typically running from October to March.
In most people, infection with RSV can be managed without needing to see a doctor.
However, it can cause more severe infections that can lead to hospitalisation.
Groups vulnerable to serious complications include infants, young children and older adults.
For more information on the rapid HTA visit our website here.