National immunisation advisory committee moves from RCPI

The national immunisation advisory committee (NIAC) has moved from the RCPI to HIQA, it has been announced.

This move means that the NIAC’s work has become a statutory function of HIQA.

According to a statement from the Authority, this recognises the critical role the NIAC plays as a national immunisation technical advisory group (NITAG) in providing evidence-based expertise to inform safe and effective immunisation policies.

In hosting the NIAC, HIQA will also be responsible for the secretariat that provides clinical, technical and administrative support to the committee. The move to HIQA will be accompanied by an increase in the size of the secretariat.

“This recognises NIAC’s growing workload, which has increased significantly in recent years due to developments in the field of immunisation, including the emergence of new illnesses and the availability of new vaccines,” according to HIQA.

From its new location, the NIAC will deliver independent recommendations and advice to the Minister for Health, develop the national immunisation guidelines for Ireland and advocate for best immunisation practices in the Irish context.

As Ireland’s NITAG, the NIAC will continue to work alongside a network of international member organisations, benefiting from peer-to-peer learning and collaboration at a global level.

Ms Angela Fitzgerald, CEO of HIQA, said: “NIAC’s work has played a critical role in the protection of public health in Ireland for over 25 years. We at HIQA look forward to welcoming and supporting our esteemed colleagues in the weeks and months ahead and continuing this vital work.”

Dr Diarmuid O’Shea, President of the RCPI, said: “The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland is proud to have hosted NIAC since its inception in 1997. NIAC has made a significant contribution to the development of evidence-based immunisation practices with a substantial increase in activity in recent years. The college wishes to thank the Committee for its longstanding commitment and expertise, and wishes it the very best as it enters this new and exciting phase.”