The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) has moved from the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland to the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA).

This move means that NIAC’s work has become a statutory function of HIQA. It recognises the critical role NIAC plays as a National Immunisation Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) in providing evidence-based expertise to inform safe and effective immunisation policies. 

In hosting 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.

From its new location, 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, NIAC will continue to work alongside a network of international member organisations, benefiting from peer-to-peer learning and collaboration at a global level. 

NIAC information and resources, including NIAC recommendations and the Immunisation Guidelines for Ireland, are now available at www.hiqa.ie.

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 Royal College of Physicians of Ireland 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.”

ENDS

Further information:
Caoimhe O’Connell, Communications Manager 087 639 5916 caoconnell@hiqa.ie

Notes to Editor:
Information in relation to NIAC, Ireland’s National Immunisation Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) and its work to date is available here. 

Information in relation to the Global NITAG Network (GNN), a platform that promotes collaboration and knowledge exchange across NITAGs worldwide, is available here.