The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has unveiled its protocol for a health technology assessment (HTA) focusing on the use of an enhanced inactivated influenza (flu) vaccine among individuals aged 65 and older. This initiative is part of the HSE’s Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Programme, and the protocol outlines the approach that HIQA intends to take to complete this assessment.
The decision to embark on this endeavor was made at the request of the Department of Health, to provide critical information to the Minister for Health for decision-making regarding the inclusion of enhanced flu vaccines in the national immunization program.
Improved Flu Vaccines for the Elderly Population in Ireland
Dr. MáirÃn Ryan, HIQA’s Deputy CEO and Director of Health Technology Assessment emphasized the importance of annual flu vaccination programs in reducing the burden of flu, particularly among those at the highest risk of severe disease and hospitalization.
In Ireland, individuals aged 65 and older are already eligible to receive the flu vaccine at no cost through the Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Programme, which currently employs a standard quadrivalent vaccine. Despite this, the flu continues to pose a significant burden in this age group, with over 1,700 hospital admissions due to flu recorded during the 2022-2023 flu season.
Dr. Ryan highlighted the challenge of reduced vaccine effectiveness in certain patient groups, particularly older adults, where the immune response to the vaccine may be suboptimal. To address this issue, enhanced flu vaccines have been developed to improve vaccine effectiveness.
Health Technology Assessment of Enhanced Flu Vaccines: Shaping the Future of Flu Vaccination for Ireland’s Seniors
HIQA’s assessment will encompass several key aspects, including estimating the flu burden in the population aged 65 and older in Ireland, evaluating the clinical and cost-effectiveness of introducing enhanced flu vaccines into the Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Programme, and considering the broader organizational, ethical, and social implications associated with such a change.
To ensure transparency and public engagement, HIQA will conduct a public consultation on this HTA before finalizing the report. Feedback from the consultation will be taken into account, and the report will be updated as necessary. Ultimately, the health technology assessment will serve as advice to the Minister for Health, providing valuable insights to inform the decision on whether enhanced flu vaccines should be included in the HSE’s Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Programme.
Resource: Health Information and Quality Authority, January 25, 2024
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