Vaccinations for children and young people
- Introduction
- When are children’s vaccinations given?
- How much do the school vaccinations cost?
- How to apply for your child’s vaccines
- Where to apply
Introduction
Immunisation is a safe and effective way to help the body prevent or fight off certain diseases. Immunisation is provided through vaccinations. Under the Childhood Immunisation Programme, all vaccines and their administration are provided free of charge for all children.
Vaccines are provided in GP surgeries, in hospitals, in health clinics or in schools (depending on the circumstances). Up to the age of 13 months, a schedule of vaccinations is provided by GPs, known as the Primary Childhood Immunisation Schedule. When children start school, they get subsequent vaccinations in school under the School Immunisation Programme.
During the winter, the flu vaccine is usually available for free for children aged from 2 to 17. The vaccine for children is given by nasal spray rather than injection.
The consent of parents is required for vaccinations for children and young people up to the age of 16. 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.
It is important that vaccinations for babies are given 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.
When are children’s vaccinations given?
Childhood immunisation schedule
| 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). |
If you were eligible to get the free HPV vaccine but you did not get it, you may be able to book a HPV vaccine catch-up appointment online.
Read more about the HPV vaccine catch-up program on the HSE website.
How much do the school vaccinations cost?
These vaccinations are free of charge.
How to apply for your child’s vaccines
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, in a number of languages.
Where to apply
Childhood immunisation services are usually offered to parents in the hospital where the baby was born and by contact from the HSE, through GPs and through the schools immunisation programme.
You can also contact your Local Health Office or your GP directly.