Vaccinations for children and young people
- Introduction
- Your child's vaccines and when to get them
- How much do these vaccinations cost?
- Where to get your child vaccinated in Ireland
- More information
Introduction
Immunisation is a safe and effective way to help your body prevent or fight off certain diseases. You can get immunisation through vaccinations.
Under the Childhood Immunisation Programme, children can get their vaccines for free.
Vaccines for babies
GPs can give your baby their vaccines until they are 13 months, as part of the Primary Childhood Immunisation Schedule. You can also get your baby vaccinated in hospitals and health clinics.
You should make sure your baby gets their vaccinations on time, or as soon as possible after they are due. If your baby is due to have a routine vaccination, you should phone your GP to arrange it.
Vaccines at school
When your child starts school, they can get more vaccinations under the School Immunisation Programme. During winter, you can usually get the flu vaccine for your child if they are aged from 2 to 17. The flu vaccine for children is given by nasal spray rather than injection.
Parental consent for vaccines
If you are under 16, you must get your parent or guardian's consent for vaccinations.
Vaccination is not compulsory, but is strongly advised by the Department of Health. You should discuss any concerns you may have with your GP (family doctor) before making a decision about your child’s immunisation.
Your child's vaccines and when to get them
| Age | Where | Vaccine |
| 2 months | GP | 6 in 1 (diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough (pertussis), polio, Hib (Haemophilus Influenzae Type B) and Hepatitis B provided in one single injection).
Vaccines against Pneumococcal Disease, Meningococcal B and rotavirus disease. |
| 4 months | GP | 6 in 1 (diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough (pertussis), polio, Hib (Haemophilus Influenzae Type B) and Hepatitis B provided in one single injection).
Vaccines against Meningococcal B and rotavirus disease. |
| 6 months | GP | 6 in 1 (diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough (pertussis), polio, Hib (Haemophilus Influenzae Type B) and Hepatitis B provided in one single injection).
Vaccines against Pneumococcal Disease and Meningococcal C. |
| 12 months | GP | MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine.
Vaccine against Meningococcal B. |
| 13 months | GP | Vaccines against Meningococcal C, Hib (Haemophilus Influenzae Type B) and Pneumococcal Disease. |
|
2-17 years |
GP or pharmacy |
|
| 4–5 years | GP or school | 4 in 1 (diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough (pertussis) and polio), plus MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine. |
| 11–14 years
1st year in second-level schools |
School | Tdap (tetanus and low-dose diphtheria) booster. Meningococcal ACWY booster. |
| Second to sixth year (girls)
Second to fourth year (boys) |
School or in a HSE clinic (from 2023) | HPV (Human Papillomavirus Virus) vaccine (2 doses). |
HPV catch-up program
If you are female, aged under 25 and were eligible to get the free HPV vaccine in secondary school but you did not get it, you may be able to book a HPV vaccine catch-up appointment online.
If you are male and aged under 22, you can also register for a HPV vaccine from 29 August to 31 December 2023.
Read more about the HPV vaccine catch-up program on the HSE website
How much do these vaccinations cost?
These vaccinations are free of charge.
Where to get your child vaccinated in Ireland
You are usually offered your children's vaccinations from the hospital where your baby was born, by the HSE, through your GP and through the School Immunisation Programme.
You can also contact your Local Health Office or your GP directly.
More information
You can get information about all immunisations from your GP, public health nurse or Local Health Office.
The HSE's National Immunisation Office website and the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) have produced useful factsheets on immunisations for parents. These factsheets are available in several languages.