Minister for Health announces Government approval for a new Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Immunisation Pathfinder Programme

Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly has today received Government approval for an infant Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Immunisation Pathfinder Programme.

The programme, which will run between September 2024 and February 2025, aims to ease the burden that RSV places on the healthcare service by reducing the number of illnesses and hospitalisations among young children.

It follows advice from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) recommending the use of monoclonal antibody immunisation for the 2024/2025 season. The vaccine will be offered to an estimated 28,000 infants during this period.

Based on evidence from a similar programme implemented in Spain, it’s estimated that the infant RSV programme in Ireland will lead to the avoidance of up to 453 hospitalisations and up to 48 ICU admissions.

Minister Donnelly said:

“Last winter, we saw the significant impact of RSV on our health service, particularly in paediatric hospitals. We saw the highest ever number of RSV hospitalisations among children, with babies under one year being the most affected.

“I’m delighted to have secured Government approval today for this programme that directly and swiftly responds to this issue and will hopefully deliver an immediate impact by reducing illness and minimising the burden on our healthcare resources over the winter.

“This Pathfinder programme will also help to inform the development of future RSV programmes aimed at reducing incidences of illnesses and hospitalisation among the population.”

Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Colette Bonner said:

“This pathfinder programme will help to protect young babies from the impact of RSV and safeguard health service capacity during this coming winter season. I would encourage parents of eligible infants to take the opportunity to protect their child against RSV and avail of the immunisation as it becomes available.”

The Pathfinder programme is being implemented by the Health Service Executive (HSE) as a temporary measure for the 2024/2025 RSV season and may be modified following the outcome of Health Technology Assessments (HTAs) on RSV immunisation currently being undertaken by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA).

Notes to editor:

A Pathfinder Programme refers to a strategic initiative designed to explore innovative approaches to improving health outcomes within a community or population. These programmes often serve as pilots or models that, if successful, can be scaled up and replicated in other settings.
The RSV Immunisation Pathfinder Programme was developed following advice from NIAC recommending the use of monoclonal antibody for the 2024/2025 season. Babies who receive the RSV monoclonal antibodies vaccine on the second day of life will benefit from protection from infection immediately, and for approximately five months.
An RSV immunisation programme implemented in Galicia in Spain resulted in an 89% reduction in hospitalisations for infants who received RSV immunisation compared to the rate of hospitalisation in recent years. Based on this evidence, it is estimated that the infant RSV programme will lead to the avoidance of up to 453 hospitalisations and up to 48 ICU admissions. (based on 50% of eligible infants receiving the vaccine).
HIQA is currently carrying out Health Technology Assessments on RSV immunisation in Ireland, to determine whether infant or adult vaccination will provide the greatest benefit in reducing healthcare utilisation due to RSV infection and to identify the most cost-effective immunisation strategy. The results of these HTAs, together with learnings from the new Pathfinder programme, will inform the development of a longer-term RSV immunisation programme.