Public feedback invited on chicken pox vaccine in immunisation schedule

The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has started work on public consultation on adding chickenpox vaccine to the childhood immunisation schedule.

This consultation will help inform a draft Health Technology Assessment (HTA) of including the vaccine in the routine childhood immunisation.

A HIQA spokesperson said: “We undertook this HTA following a request from the Department of Health and the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). 

“We want to hear the views of the Irish public on this draft report before it is finalised and we are inviting members of the public to provide feedback on the HTA.”

Chickenpox is an acute, infectious disease most commonly seen in children under 10 years old. The disease is usually mild, although it can lead to serious complications requiring hospitalisation. 

Anyone who has had chickenpox may develop shingles. This results from reactivation of the virus, and typically occurs in later life. 

Chickenpox is highly contagious. One infected person can potentially infect 10 to 12 others. It is estimated that there are currently over 55,000 cases of chickenpox every year in Ireland.

HIQA’s Chief Scientist Dr Conor Teljeur said: “Vaccines against chickenpox have been available for over 30 years. 

“In Ireland, the vaccine is already recommended for non-immune individuals in certain risk groups. 

“Many countries include vaccination against chickenpox in their childhood immunisation schedules. However, the type of vaccine given, the number of doses and the timing of the doses differ.”

The HTA assesses the clinical effectiveness, safety, cost effectiveness, budget impact, ethical and social aspects, and organisational changes associated with expanding the childhood immunisation schedule to include chickenpox vaccination.

Dr Teljeur continued: “From reviewing the evidence, HIQA found that the chickenpox vaccine is safe and effective. Including it in the childhood immunisation programme would reduce the occurrence of chickenpox and would substantially reduce severe disease including hospitalisations. 

“Vaccination is likely to represent a good use of healthcare resources and, when the broader cost to society of chickenpox is taken into account, vaccination is cost saving.”

You can read the draft report and participate in the public consultation at hiqa.ie

Anyone who wishes to make a submission can do so up until Monday, May 29.