Immunisations for children and young people

Information

Children and young people in Ireland are entitled to certain immunisation services free of charge.  These are provided in GP surgeries, in hospitals, in health clinics or in school (depending on the circumstances).

Immunisation is a safe and effective way to help the body prevent or fight off certain diseases. Immunisation is provided through vaccinations where a vaccine is administered to induce immunity. Under the Childhood Immunisation Programme all vaccines and their administration are provided free of charge for all children.

Parental consent is required for the administration of vaccinations to children and young people up to the age of 16.

Vaccination is not mandatory in Ireland, but is strongly advised by the Department of Health and Children. You should discuss any concerns you may have with your GP/family doctor before making a decision about your child's immunisation.  

Immunisations are provided through the Childhood Immunisation Programme. There are different schedules, depending whether your child was born before or after 1 July 2008.

Rules

Children born before 1 July 2008

Schedule of immunisation for children born before 1 July 2008

Age	Where	Vaccine
Birth	Hospital or clinic	BCG vaccination (a vaccine to protect against tuberculosis)
2 months	GP	5 in 1 (diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough (pertussis), polio and HiB (Haemophilus Influenzae Type B) is provided in one single injection) plus vaccination against Meningitis C in a separate injection.
4 months	GP	The same as at 2 months
6 months	GP	The same as at 2 months
12-15 months	GP	MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) (pdf) vaccine and a HiB (Haemophilus Influenzae Type B)  booster is administered
4-5 years	GP or school	4 in 1 (diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough (pertussis) and polio) plus MMR (measles, mumps and rubella)
11-14 years	GP or school	Td (tetanus and low-dose diphtheria)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Children who were born between 2 September 2006 and 30 June 2008 will also be called for a vaccine against Pneumococcal Disease:

Date of birth	Number of doses needed	When to vaccinate
2 September 2006 to 31 July 2007	1	Before 31 January 2009
1 August 2007 to 29 February 2008	1	13 months of age
1 March 2008 to 30 June 2008	2	6 months and 13 months

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Children born after 1 July 2008

 Immunisation schedule for babies born on or after 1 July 2008

Age	Where	Vaccine
Birth	Hospital or clinic	BCG vaccination (a vaccine to protect against tuberculosis)
2 months	GP	6 in 1 (diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough (pertussis), polio, HiB (Haemophilus Influenzae Type B) and Hepatitis B is provided in one single injection) plus vaccine against Pneumococcal Disease in a separate injection.
4 months	GP	6 in 1 (diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough (pertussis), polio, HiB (Haemophilus Influenzae Type B) and Hepatitis B is provided in one single injection) plus vaccine against Meningococcal C in a separate injection.
6 months	GP	6 in 1 (diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough (pertussis), polio, HiB (Haemophilus Influenzae Type B) and Hepatitis B is provided in one single injection) plus vaccines against Meningococcal C and Pneumococcal Disease.
12 months	GP	MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) (pdf) vaccine, plus vaccine against Pneumococcal Disease.
13 months	GP	Vaccine against Meningococcal C and HiB (Haemophilus Influenzae Type B).
4-5 years	GP or school	4 in 1 (diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough (pertussis) and polio), plus MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) (pdf) vaccine.
11-14 years	School	Td (tetanus and low-dose diphtheria).

School Booster Programme

At 4-5 years: The 4 in 1 vaccine (diphtheria,  tetanus, whooping cough (pertussis) and polio), plus MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) (pdf) is administered. 

At 11-14 years: The Td (tetanus and low-dose diphtheria) vaccine is administered.

In counties Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Monaghan, Meath, Louth and parts of north Dublin these booster vaccines are administered by your GP.  You should contact your Local Health Office if you have any questions concerning the administration of these vaccines. 

Meningitis C

A National Immunisation Programme against meningitis C was introduced in October 2000. The aim was to immunise everyone up to age 22. To date, the programme has resulted in a 90% reduction in cases of group C meningitis and septicaemia among the target groups in Ireland.

Any person in this age group who has not been vaccinated aginst meningitis C should contact their family doctor (GP) or Local Health Office. The meningitis C vaccine has now been incorporated into the Primary Childhood Immunisation Programme, as above. 

Rates

These vaccinations are available free of charge.

How to apply

Information about all immunisations is available from your GP, public health nurse or Local Health Office. The Health Service Executive (HSE) National Immunisation Office and the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), have produced useful factsheets on all immunisations for parents.

Where to apply

Childhood immunisation services are usually offered to parents in the hospital where the birth occurred and by contact from the HSE, through GPs and through the schools immunisation programme.

You may contact your Local Health Office or your GP directly to avail of the service.