School Programme 2022/2023

The Schools Immunisation Programme (SIP) is developed in accordance with the guidance issued by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI) and contained in the Immunisation Guidelines for Ireland.

The Schools Immunisation Programme is part of a national strategy to protect children from infectious diseases through vaccination. Specifically the Schools Immunisation Programme protects against the following diseases with the named vaccines:

  • Measles, mumps, rubella with MMR vaccine
  • Tetanus, diphtheria, polio, pertussis with DTaP/IPV vaccine
  • Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis with Tdap vaccine
  • Human papillomavirus (HPV) with HPV vaccine
  • Meningococcal A, C, W and Y infection with MenACWY vaccine

In Ireland, all the recommended childhood or adolescent vaccines when administered in the schools immunisation programme are free. 

Please note if parents or guardians request their GP give the school immunisation programme vaccines to their children, the vaccines are not free. 

In Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal GPs give the 4 in 1 and MMR vaccines to children in Junior Infants or age equivalent. 

4 in 1 and MMR programme

The programme aims to vaccinate on an annual basis by targeting students in junior infants of primary schools and age equivalent in special schools and home schooled students with 4 in 1 and MMR.

These vaccines are given by a HSE doctor or nurse in primary school to Junior Infants. In Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim these vaccines are given by GPs.

Information materials for parents are available in the 4 in 1 and MMR school section

The following information materials are available for healthcare professionals carrying out this programme.

Post Vaccination Advice

The Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) and Patient Information Leaflets (PIL) for the 4 in 1 and MMR vaccines are available from the www.hpra.ie website. Search for Tetravac, Priorix and MMRVaxPro to read the SmPC or PIL.  

Please note you will be leaving www.immunisation.ie when you click the SmPC and PIL links

Tdap programme

The programme aims to vaccinate on an annual basis by targeting students in first year in second level schools and age equivalent in special schools and home schooled with Tdap.

Information materials for parents are available in the Tdap school section

The following information materials are available for healthcare professionals carrying out this programme.

Post Vaccination Advice

The Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) and Patient Information Leaflets (PIL) for Tdap vaccine is available from the www.hpra.ie website. Search for Boostrix to read the SmPC or PIL. 

Please note you will be leaving www.immunisation.ie when you click the SPC and PIL links

MenACWY programme

The programme aims to vaccinate on an annual basis  by targeting students in first year in second level schools and age equivalent in special schools and home schooled with MenACWY.

Information materials for parents are available in the MenACWY school section

The following information materials are available for healthcare professionals carrying out this programme.

Click on the link you require to download the document.

Post Vaccination Advice

The Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) and Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) for MenACWY vaccine is available from the www.hpra.ie website. Search for Nimenrix to read the SmPC or PIL. 

Please note you will be leaving www.immunisation.ie when you click the SPC and PIL links

HPV Programme

The programme aims to vaccinate on an annual basis by targeting first year in second level schools and age equivalent in special schools and home schooled students with HPV.

Information materials for parents are available in the HPV school section

To read more about HPV please visit the following pages

The following information materials are available for healthcare professionals carrying out this programme.

Post Vaccination Advice

The Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) and Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) for HPV vaccine is available from the www.hpra.ie website. Search for Gardasil 9 to read the SmPC or PIL. 

Please note you will be leaving www.immunisation.ie when you click the SPC and PIL link

More Information about HPV can be found at the following websites:

The Laura Brennan HPV (Human papillomavirus) Catch-up Vaccination Programme

People who have not previously received a HPV vaccine and in the following cohorts can receive a HPV vaccine through the Laura Brennan HPV catch-up vaccination programme:

  • females in 2nd to 6th year of secondary school
  • females under the age of 25
  • males in 2nd to 4th year of secondary school
  • males in 5th year who skipped Transition Year

Information materials for parents and eligible people are available in the HPV school section

To read more about HPV please visit the following pages

The following information materials are available for healthcare professionals carrying out this programme.

Post vaccination Advice in English and Irish

The Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) and Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) for HPV vaccine is available from the www.hpra.ie website. Search for Gardasil 9 to read the SmPC or PIL. 

Please note you will be leaving www.immunisation.ie when you click the SPC and PIL link

 

This page was updated on 8 December 2022