HSE spent €16.6m on storage and destruction of expired covid vaccines and PPE, committee hears

Storage of PPE — such as gowns and masks — had cost the HSE €8.85m in total since the end of the pandemic up until the end of 2025. Picture: iStock

The HSE incurred costs of €16.6m last year due to the write-off, storage, and destruction of covid vaccines and personal protective equipment, an Oireachtas committee has heard.

The Public Accounts Committee was told the health service sustained charges of €8.4m at the end of 2025 for covid vaccines which had passed their expiry, or which were no longer considered to be clinically safe to use.