Number of babies with RSV 'collapsed' after immunisation programme began

'In the winter before we did this Pathfinder programme there were about 1,600 admissions of babies with RSV and that collapsed in the first year.' File picture: iStock

The number of babies with RSV “collapsed” after a programme of immunisation began, with the HSE continuing to evaluate its wider rollout.

Deputy chief medical officer Ellen Crushell told the Oireachtas health committee on Wednesday that the RSV immunisation programme was brought in two years ago.

“In the winter before we did this Pathfinder programme there were about 1,600 admissions of babies with RSV and that collapsed in the first year,” she said, pointing out that hospitalisations reduced by 75%. 

The programme had an uptake rate of 88% last year. The Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) is evaluating the pilot programme for permanent inclusion in the HSE’s work.

Shingles vaccine

Meanwhile, the shingles vaccine for older people is not publicly funded despite being “safe and effective”, chief medical officer Mary Horgan told the committee.

The shingles vaccine is only available privately and at a high cost. Interest in the vaccine has been growing due to studies indicating a secondary effect in helping prevent dementia.

In 2024, Hiqa said it was not cost-effective to offer the vaccine. Prof. Horgan acknowledged it is offered by some public health systems, but suggested larger countries may have negotiated lower prices.

She explained the vaccine is licenced only for specific treatments, not including dementia. She has asked Hiqa to look at new research on this vaccine, saying: “I wanted to see if there is new evidence that would influence any policy decisions. The work is ongoing.” 

Labour health spokeswoman Marie Sherlock questioned why this vaccine was not included in the HSE’s agreement on medicines with the pharmaceutical industry.

“We all agree it is very safe and it is very effective,” said Prof. Horgan, adding: “It’s about affordability.”

She said: “We’re working actively with the HSE chief clinical officer to see if we can identify groups (to be funded), that’s how much we want this vaccine.” 

HSE chief clinical officer Colm Henry said vulnerable groups include patients who had organ transplants or other immunocompromised people. He said the vaccine has “clear clinical benefits”.

Flu vaccine

Questions were raised by Fianna Fáil TD Martin Daly and others about the low uptake of the flu vaccine among healthcare workers across the HSE.

HSE South West regional director of public health, Anne Sheahan, said campaigns have been running across Cork and Kerry as well as elsewhere to tackle this.

The uptake is over 60% at Mallow General Hospital, which Dr Sheahan put down to promotion by hospital management. “It’s a relatively small hospital but the uptake is very good”.