Children and young people 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. Under the Childhood Immunisation Programme all vaccines and their administration are provided free of charge for all children.
Parents must consent to 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.| Age | Where | Vaccine |
| Birth | Hospital or HSE 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 (3 injections). |
| 12 months | GP | MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) 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) vaccine. |
| 11-14 years
Girls in 1st year in second- level schools |
School
School |
Td (tetanus and low-dose diphtheria).
HPV (Human Papillomavirus vaccine) (3 doses) |
At 4-5 years: The 4 in 1 vaccine (diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough (pertussis) and polio), plus MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) is administered.
At 11-14 years: The Td (tetanus and low-dose diphtheria) vaccine is administered.
Girls in first year in second-level schools: The HPV (Human Papillomavirus Virus) is administered. This programme started in September 2010.These vaccinations are free of charge.
Information about all immunisations is available from your GP, public health nurse or Local Health Office. The HSE's National Immunisation Website and the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), have produced useful factsheets on immunisations for parents, in a number of languages.
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.