ALONE Submission HIQA Respiratory Syncytial Virus Immunisation Consultation Response
RSV is a significant cause of respiratory illness in older adults, with severity increasing sharply with age. Indeed, Irish data from the 2024/25 season shows adults aged 80+ accounted for nearly half of RSV-related hospital admissions and deaths among those aged 65+. Hospitalisation rates rise steeply with age, with the highest burden in those over 80. The Health Technology Assessment states that the burden of RSV in primary care, and the number of deaths among those aged 65+ as a result of RSV, are likely underestimated. It is also stated that immunisation would result in reductions in the numbers of medically attended RSV cases, and hospitalisations.
Although the Health Technology Assessment states that the benefits are at a “high financial cost”, consideration should also be given to the indirect costs potentially associated with not introducing an immunisation programme.
Without vaccination, an ageing population will continue to experience significant negative health and social impacts following RSV infection, leading to increased care needs and reduced quality of life. On this basis, we support the roll-out of RSV vaccination for the cohorts listed.
