Immunisation (also known as vaccination) is a safe and effective way to help the body prevent or fight off certain diseases. Vaccinations under the Childhood Immunisation Programme are provided free of charge to 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 health authorities.
The BCG vaccination (a vaccine to protect against tuberculosis) is normally administered in the maternity hospital where the child is born.
Vaccination against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough (pertussis), polio and Hib (haemophilus influenzae Type B) is provided in one single injection (the "5 in 1"). Vaccination against meningitis C is also administered at this time in a separate injection.
The "5 in 1" and the meningitis C vaccinations are repeated .
The "5 in 1" and the meningitis C vaccinations are repeated .
The MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine is administered.
A single dose of Hib vaccine is also recommended if the child presents after age 13 months and has had no previous Hib vaccine.
Information about the MMR vaccine is available from your GP and local health board. The Health Boards Executive (HeBE) and the National Disease Surveillance Centre (NDSC) have produced useful fact sheets on MMR and a list of frequently asked questions about measles, mumps and rubella for parents. All of these vaccinations are available free of charge for children from your GP/family doctor, as part of the Primary Childhood Immunisation Programme.
Parents should discuss any concerns they may have with their GP/family doctor before making a decision about their child's immunisation.
A further vaccination against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and polio (these are administered together as a "4 in 1" vaccine) and a MMR booster are administered.
The MMR vaccine is given (this is not administered to children if two previous doses have been given).
A BCG booster is given to those who are known to be tuberculin negative and have not received the BCG vaccine previously.
The Td (tetanus and low-dose diphtheria) vaccine is administered in schools.
These vaccinations are available free of charge and are usually administered in schools by the local health board. You should contact the Department of Public Health of your local health board if you have any questions concerning the administration of these vaccines.
A National Immunisation Programme against meningitis C was introduced in October 2000. The aim was to immunise everyone up to age 22. The programme was implemented in three phases, the final phase of which was completed in 2002.
In 2000, 139 cases of group C meningococcal disease were notified in Ireland - this declined to 35 in 2001, to 14 in 2002 and to just 5* group C cases in 2003; this represents an overall reduction of 96% in the number of group C cases in 2003 compared to 2000. Any person in this age group who has not been vaccinated against meningitis C should contact their GP/family doctor or local health board (*provisional figure).
The meningitis C vaccine has been incorporated into the Primary Childhood Immunisation Programme at 2, 4 and 6 months of age. This vaccine is administered free of charge, as part of the Primary Childhood Immunisation Programme.