Shingles Vaccination Programme: Motion
Seanad Éireann — 2026-02-05
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Teresa Costello (FF), Agricultural Panel

I thank the Minister of State for being here and thank Senator Conway, who spoke brilliantly. I welcome the opportunity to speak on this motion and about the shingles vaccination programme. Fianna Fáil welcomes the debate and we note that the Government is not opposing the motion. That reflects a shared understanding across this House of the seriousness of shingles and its impact, particularly on older people and those who are immunocompromised. It is not a minor condition. It is caused by the same virus, as was said, that is responsible for chickenpox. Following a primary infection, the virus remains dormant in the nervous system and can reactivate years and even decades later as shingles. Around one third of people who have had chickenpox will develop shingles at some point in their lifetime, with two thirds of cases occurring in those aged 50 and over. The consequences can be severe. Morbidity increases significantly with age, and the most common complication of this condition causes persistent and often debilitating pain long after the rash is resolved. It can lead to a marked reduction in quality of life, limiting mobility, daily activity and overall well-being, while also increasing the need for medical care and support.
The data is stark. GP surveillance between 2013 and 2022 shows that shingles rates rise sharply with age. The highest mean rates are among those aged 75 to 79. Hospital data over the same period shows an average of 285 related discharges and more than 2,600 bed days per year, with almost three quarters of discharges and nearly 90% of bed days occurring in people over 50. There were 54 deaths in acute hospitals during that period, and the vast majority occurred among those aged 75 and over. These figures do not capture those who may have died in the community. International evidence also demonstrates that people who are immunocompromised experience higher incidence and more severe disease. While overall mortality from shingles is low, the burden on individuals is clear.
Ireland's immunisation programme, guided by the national immunisation advisory committee, NIAC, currently advises that shingles vaccination may be considered in those aged 65 and over and recommends vaccination for adults aged 50 and over with immunocompromised conditions. At present, the non-live recombinant vaccine, Shingrix, is available in Ireland. It is administered as a two-dose course and is more effective than the older vaccine, Zostavax - my pronunciation is terrible - and can safely be given to immunocompromised patients. In 2024, HIQA published a comprehensive health technology assessment, HTA, and there were issues around the pricing. Some of the costing was that to roll out vaccination for everybody aged 65 and over would cost €218 million. I will have to check if I am correct on that. It did conclude at that time that it could be cost-effective at certain ages but that the price of the vaccine was quite high. I am told it is consistent with some international experiences, and HTAs in other European countries reached similar conclusions. In 2025, the HSE entered some negotiations with the manufacturer and, again, the price quoted was still high. Despite that, progress is being made on this. I am told the Department is committed to examining the introduction of a shingles vaccine for a cohort of immunocompromised individuals in the first instance. HIQA has also been asked to consider whether new scientific evidence has emerged since 2024. When this work is completed, the Minister for Health will be able to make a more informed decision. This debate is timely and necessary, however.
The way Senator Conway spoke of his uncle really struck me. It is a very real burden. I too have family members who have had shingles. It is not there for people to see; it is a very privately borne and lonely illness. The pain just does not seem to end with it. Fianna Fáil supports continued evidence-based progress towards a shingles vaccination programme.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-02-05/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:35+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-02-05