A new national vaccine programme for adults could cut hospital admissions by up to 75,000 and improve health outcomes ‘dramatically’, according to Prof Sam McConkey.
A new report from the Office of Health Economics (OHE) has found that 1,429 deaths and 16,555 life years could be saved if recommended programmes from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) were put in place.
The ‘Value of Adult Vaccination in Ireland’ report notes that a programme of vaccinations for a range of illnesses affecting older people could prevent around 376,000 disease cases.
The programme would see older people vaccinated against influenza, pneumonia, shingles and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland infectious diseases expert Prof Sam McConkey told The Pat Kenny Show many of these vaccines last for years.
"What we're encouraging is a national programme structure for adult vaccination," he said.
"The pneumonia one lasts for 10 years - so you get it once and it protects you for 10 years.
"The shingles one we think is many years as well, so you just need one dose and it lasts for a long time."
A man showing his arm with a bandage after receiving a vaccine. Picture by: Oleg Elkov / Alamy Stock PhotoProf McConkey said the exception would be the influenza jab.
"The influenza [virus] keeps changing shape - it's like The Italian Job where they change their coats [and] change their car all the time and they look different to evade the police," he said.
"Influenza is like that – it puts on a different coat every year and last year's vaccine doesn't protect you from next years' flu.
"Thankfully shingles is basically the same every year and you just get it and it protects you for life".
Kate O'Connell at the Fine Gael Ard Fheis in Galway, 6-4-24. Image: Sasko Lazarov/© RollingNews.iePharmacist Kate O'Connell told the show the vaccines make sense for an ageing population.
"Many of the vaccines will particularly benefit older people," she said.
"With advances in health technologies we're obviously seeing people leading longer, healthier lives.
"This vaccination programme is about preventative strategies.
"It's about looking at the socio-economic benefits and value of keeping a population healthy".
Hospital admissions
Ms O'Connell said the cost of some current vaccines is prohibitive.
"You're looking at a massive amount of reductions in hospital admissions - between 70,000 and 75,000 if this is rolled out," she said.
"Shingles can be a very debilitating illness if you are vulnerable and particularly in the immunocompromised.
"What we see in the community pharmacy is, if somebody is in that age group, generally on a fixed income, the price of the shingles vaccine in particular is prohibitive.
"It can be up to €500 per patient for the two shots."
'No barrier to access'
Ms O'Connell said she would fully support implementing the plan.
"I'd hope that it will form part of the main political parties’ manifestos and plan for the future," she said.
"Sláintecare at its essence is no barrier to access and not based on ability to pay.
"The shingles vaccine in particular is based on ability to pay - who does and who doesn't get it".
'New sense of confidence'
Prof McConkey said the four vaccines would result in cost-savings for the State.
"If you spend the money and invest the money to vaccinate the elderly, they've less illness, less use of healthcare [resources] and it's beneficial," he said.
"This one actually saves money because it keeps people out of hospital and prevents them attending for hospitalisation.
"I would say that since COVID, the Department of Health and our Ministers of Health have a greet new sense of confidence that by taking action and by doing things they can improve our health outcomes in Ireland dramatically," he added.
The report calls on policy makers to invest more in preventative strategies, including adult immunisation programmes, due to the large positive socio-economic returns.
