Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a virus that infects the lungs and upper airways. This virus spreads every winter, with the RSV season in Ireland typically running from October to March. In healthy individuals, infection with RSV can usually be managed without needing to see a doctor. However, RSV can cause more severe infections in some people which may lead to them being hospitalised. Groups vulnerable to serious complications include infants, young children and older adults.

Following a request from the Department of Health, HIQA completed a rapid health technology assessment (HTA) of alternative infant and adult immunisation strategies against RSV in Ireland, to inform an interim policy decision on the most appropriate immunisation strategy for the 2025-2026 season. The rapid HTA was published in August 2024 and can be viewed here. The Department of Health also requested that, following the completion of the rapid HTA, HIQA conduct a full HTA of alternative infant and adult immunisation strategies against RSV in Ireland to inform a longer-term policy decision (for the 2026-2027 season and subsequent seasons) on RSV immunisation. This protocol outlines the evidence synthesis approach that will be used by HIQA’s evaluation team to complete this assessment.