Authors' objectives: This HTA aims to establish the clinical and cost-effectiveness of extending the current immunisation programme, which offers HPV vaccination to all girls in their first year of secondary school (12 to 13 year olds), to a programme that also offers the vaccination to boys.

Authors' methods: This research was carried out in accordance with HIQA’s guidelines for the conduct of HTAs. In summary, the following took place: The Terms of Reference of the HTA were agreed between HIQA and the Department of Health. An Expert Advisory Group was convened, with representation from health policy decision-makers, clinicians, professional bodies, the national parents’ council post primary, and experts in the fields of vaccinology, health services research, ethics and economic evaluation. An Evaluation Team was appointed comprising HIQA staff. The epidemiology of HPV infection and the burden of HPV-related disease in Ireland were assessed. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) was carried out to summarise the available evidence on the efficacy of the 4- and 9-valent HPV vaccines. A systematic review of time-trend observational studies was updated to summarise the population-level effect of HPV immunisation programmes on HPV-related disease. A systematic review of systematic reviews was undertaken to assess the safety of the HPV vaccine, as well as retrieving Irish safety data and reviewing other key narrative reviews and independent expert analyses. A systematic review was undertaken to summarise the available cost-effectiveness evidence of gender-neutral HPV vaccination. An economic model was adapted to the Irish setting to estimate the cost-effectiveness of different HPV vaccination strategies for the target population (12 and 13 year old boys and girls). A budget impact analysis reporting the incremental costs associated with the proposed changes to the HPV immunisation schedule over a one and five-year time horizon was performed from the perspective of the public health and social care system. An analysis of the organisational, social and ethical implications was undertaken with a view to identifying broader considerations that may influence decision-making. The complete draft report was reviewed by the Expert Advisory Group, before being made available for public consultation, to give interested parties an opportunity to comment on the draft before it was finalised. A final draft of the report, including a report on the results of the public consultation, was submitted to the Board of HIQA for approval. Following its approval, the completed assessment was submitted to the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC), the National Immunisation Office (NIO), the Department of Health and the Minister for Health as advice, and published on the HIQA website.

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: https://www.hiqa.ie/reports-and-publications/health-technology-assessment/hta-extending-hpv-vaccination-boys

Year Published: 2018

URL for published report: https://www.hiqa.ie/sites/default/files/2018-12/HTA-for-HPV-Vaccination-boys.pdf

Requestor: Department of Health

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Full HTA

Country: Ireland

Organisation Name: Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA)

Contact Address: Health Information and Quality Authority, George's Court, George's Lane,Smithfield, Dublin 7. PH : + 353 (01) 814 7464

Contact Name: info@hiqa.ie

Contact Email: info@hiqa.ie