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Immunisation schedule for children
Although you are not legally required to get your child vaccinated, bodies such as the HSE strongly recommend that you do, as your child may be at risk and a risk to others. For more information on the vaccines given and your child’s health please go to the National Immunisation Office Website
The schedule that you get your child vaccinated begins at birth up to 13 months (commonly known as BCG) and after through to school age and up to 14 years ( MMR and booster MMR). The vaccinations are done by nurses at the hospital, by your GP and by a public health nurse (schools). After your initial vaccine at the hospital after birth, you will receive a letter informing you to contact your GP to schedule your BCG appointments.
Immunisation Schedule from birth to 13 months for babies born On or After 1 Oct 2016 (source HSE)
- Immunisation begins at birth with a BCG tuberculosis vaccine given at hospital.
- At two months,the child will receive a 6 in 1 vaccination, PCV, MenB Vaccine, Rotarvirus oral vaccine.
- At four months, another 6 in 1 vaccine, MenB Vaccine, Rotavirus oral vaccine
- At six months, another 6 in 1 vaccine, PCV, MenC Vaccine.
- At 12 months, begin MMR vaccination (Measles Mumps, Rubella), Men B Vaccine
- At 13 months, Hib/MenC, PCV
Immunisation Schedule from birth to 13 months for babies born BEFORE 1st October 2016 (source HSE)
- Immunisation begins at birth with a BCG tuberculosis vaccine given at hospital.
- At two months the child will receive a 6 in 1 vaccinations, PCV.
- At four months another 6 in 1 vaccine, Men C
- At six months, another 6 in 1 vaccine. PCV
- At 12 months, begin MMR vaccination (Measles Mumps, Rubella), PVC
- At 13 months, Men C, Hib.
School vaccination program
When your child is aged between 4 and 5 years they will get booster doses of some vaccines to help protect them against diseases including the 4 in 1 booster to protect against diphtheria, polio, tetanus and whooping cough (pertussis); and a second dose of the MMR vaccine to protect against measles, mumps and rubella. These are given by HSE doctor or nurse in primary school to junior infants or by a local GP.
In secondary schools, the following vaccinations are given:
- At either first year or second year at secondary school level your child will be offered a tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis booster vaccine. Given by HSE doctor or nurse at school or in local HSE clinic.
- All students in first year of second level schools will be offered a booster dose of the Meningococcal C (MenC) vaccine. The Meningococcal C (MenC) booster vaccine is given to protect teenagers up to and including early adulthood from life threatening meningococcal group C (MenC) infection.
- Girls in first year (around 12years old) will be offered a HPV vaccine (watch video) to protect against cervical cancer. Two doses will be given, the first in September (HPV vaccine (dose 1) and Tdap vaccine and the second in February (HPV vaccine (dose 2) and MenACWY vaccine ). One vaccine is given in each arm. Girls over 15 years need 3 doses. Given by HSE Doctor or Nurse either in schools or at local HSE clinic. See additional info provided by the HSE here. A Schooldays article regarding the fears around the HPV vaccine and it's adverse affects can be found here, and the response to said concerns by the European Medicines Agency's Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) can be found here.
- From September 2019, boys will also be offered the HPV vaccine. This is because HPV can cause cancers and genital warts in boys too. Two doses will be given, the first in September (HPV vaccine (dose 1) and Tdap vaccine and the second in February (HPV vaccine (dose 2) and MenACWY vaccine ). One vaccine is given in each arm
In Ireland, all the recommended childhood vaccines given in the schools immunisation programme are free. If your child has missed any of these vaccinations there are MMR catch-up vaccinations available in schools at both primary and secondary.