The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published the protocol for its health technology assessment (HTA) of shingles (herpes zoster) vaccination for adults. The protocol describes the approach that HIQA will use to complete this work.

HIQA agreed to undertake this HTA following a request from the Department of Health. The request followed a recommendation from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC).The aim of this HTA is to provide advice to the Minister of Health to support a decision on whether to include herpes zoster vaccination in the adult immunisation schedule in Ireland.

The varicella zoster virus is a herpes virus associated with two distinct clinical syndromes – varicella, commonly known as chickenpox, and herpes zoster, commonly known as shingles. Primary infection results in chickenpox, after which the virus becomes latent (dormant) and may reactivate, often several decades later, as shingles. Shingles is usually recognised by a painful, blistering rash on the torso. Although pain can persist for much longer, the rash typically lasts for a period of seven to 10 days, with the resulting scabs resolving completely within two to four weeks. The first vaccine for the prevention of shingles was approved by the European Medicines Agency in 2006.

The most common complication of shingles is post herpetic neuralgia. This is a chronic pain which lasts long after the initial rash and blisters have healed and which occurs in up to three in 10 people. The risk of post herpetic neuralgia is consistently reported to be higher in older patients. Post herpetic neuralgia can have a significant impact on quality of life, affecting general activity, mood, sleep, and walking ability.

The incidence and severity of shingles increases with increasing age, with most cases occurring in people over the age of 50 years. People who are immunocompromised are also at an increased risk of shingles and of serious complications. The HTA will examine potential vaccination strategies for both adults aged 50 years and older and for adults aged 18 years and older who are at increased risk of shingles.

Dr Conor Teljeur, HIQA’s Chief Scientist, said: “Shingles can impact anyone who has been infected with chickenpox during their life, leaving most of the general population vulnerable. Up to one in three people who have had chickenpox will go on to have shingles. Although the vaccine is currently recommended for certain risk groups, individuals must pay privately for vaccination. This HTA is will review the evidence for adding shingles vaccination to the adult immunisation schedule in Ireland.”

HIQA’s review will examine the evidence on the clinical effectiveness and safety of shingles vaccines. The cost effectiveness and budget impact will be also be reviewed, along with the ethical, social and organisational implications of including the vaccine in the adult immunisation schedule. The findings of the HTA will be submitted as advice to inform a decision by the Minister for Health.

The full HTA will be published in due course.
ENDS

Further information:
Marty Whelan, Head of Communications and Stakeholder Engagement 085 805 5202 / mwhelan@hiqa.ie

Notes to Editor:

• The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has today published the following document:
  • Protocol for the health technology assessment (HTA) of herpes zoster vaccination for adults
• You can find out more about shingles (herpes zoster) here.
• Information in relation to the National Immunisation Advisory Committee is available here.