Regulator Jennifer Carroll MacNeill will tell the HSE today in their final report that the costs for the vaccine would need to be halved before they are cost effective.
RSV is a common viral infection which causes lung infections pneumonia and bronchiolitis. The RSV vaccine is effective however is very expensive as HIQA has suggested that future costs could range from €15.6m to €58.5m.
Deputy chief executive and director of health technology assessment Máirín Ryan said of the vaccine: “RSV immunisation significantly reduces hospitalisation with the greatest benefit in infants due to the highest burden of disease in this patient group. While it would reduce winter overcrowding and help make our health service more resilient, it is very expensive."
Every winter, over 7,000 people end up hospitalised due to RSV. It also results in 130 ICU stays in children less than two years of age, each year.
HIQA states that there is currently uncertainty around the cost of the RSV vaccine but hopes that there will be price reductions through competitive tender.
“Hiqa are correct in highlighting the significant costs associated with this programme and the need to negotiate the best possible price for RSV immunisation products,” a spokesman for the HSE said.
The HSE are currently planning their third RSV immunisation programme, while they are still waiting on a final decision from the Department of Health.
