HIQA publishes HTA of COVID-19 vaccination
HIQA has today published a health technology assessment (HTA) of COVID-19 vaccination in Ireland. The assessment was requested by the Department of Health and submitted as advice to the Minister for Health and HSE to inform a decision in relation to the groups for whom COVID-19 vaccination is funded for the 2027-2028 vaccination campaign onwards.
Since 2023, the absolute risk of severe COVID-19 disease has continued to decline in all age groups. However, some groups continue to be at higher risk of severe disease compared with the general population. In particular, COVID-19 continues to disproportionately affect older adults, resulting in an ongoing burden on patients, their families and on healthcare services. In 2025, there were 260 notified COVID-19-related deaths, with more than two thirds occurring in those aged 80 years and older.
HIQA found that COVID-19 vaccination is safe and effective. Effectiveness is greater against severe disease; however, protection wanes over time. HIQA’s economic evaluation considered vaccination of the general population aged 60 years and older in Ireland. The cost effectiveness of the modelled strategies was found to be highly sensitive to both the assumed price of the vaccine and the incidence of COVID-19. HIQA advised that these should be key considerations in any decision-making and in procurement negotiations with manufacturers. For example, if the price of the vaccine is less than €60 per dose, offering vaccination to adults aged 80 years and older twice a year would be considered cost effective.
Commenting on the HTA, HIQA’s Deputy Director of Health Technology Assessment, Dr Patricia Harrington, said:
"All European countries provided broad population level access to publicly funded COVID-19 vaccination during the emergency phase of the pandemic. As the epidemiology of COVID-19 has changed, national policies have been updated, with the potential for policy decisions to take consideration of broader issues including cost effectiveness. This has included restricting funded access to those considered to be at highest risk of severe disease, such as older adults, those residing in long term care facilities for older adults and those living with immunocompromise."
HIQA advised that there should be timely communication to those that might be impacted by any changes to the national COVID-19 vaccination programme, as well as targeted outreach to eligible population groups to optimise uptake.
The full HTA is available at www.hiqa.ie along with a Statement of Outcomes Report, which summarises the feedback received during the public consultation period and outlines HIQA’s responses to the issues raised, including any changes that were made to the HTA as a result.
ENDS
Notes for Editor:
- The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has today published the following documents for public consultation:
- This assessment included a public consultation held from 29 June to 9 August 2026, during which input was sought from the public on a preliminary draft report. Feedback received was considered in the finalisation of this assessment and is summarised in a separate statement of outcomes document (opens PDF), which includes any changes that were made to the HTA as a result of the feedback.
- The request from the Department of Health follows updated clinical recommendations from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). NIAC’s updated recommendations can be found here (opens PDF).
- In Ireland, access to free COVID-19 vaccination is provided by the HSE for certain groups of people. Information on who can currently access COVID-19 vaccination and how to do so can be found here (opens new website).
- Most people infected with the virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. However, some people (for example, older people, those with underlying health conditions and those living with immunocompromise) are at a higher risk of severe disease. Some people continue to experience symptoms long after the infectious period has ended, this is known as long COVID.
- HIQA previously published the following document Protocol for a health technology assessment of COVID-19 vaccination in Ireland (opens PDF).
About HIQA
The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) is the independent body that promotes safety and quality in the provision of health and social care services in Ireland.
Through its regulation, standard setting and evidence to inform decision-making functions, HIQA supports health and social care services to consistently deliver excellent standards of care and the best possible health and social care outcomes for all.