Information for people who have come to Ireland from other countries

Vaccines protect babies and children from infections that can make them seriously ill. Very young babies are most at risk from these infections, so vaccines are started as early as possible.

In Ireland the vaccine schedule starts at 2 months of age and the recommended vaccines are given over 5 visits to your family doctor (GP) when your baby is 2, 4, 6, 12 and 13 months of age.  Vaccines given to babies in Ireland protect them against infections that are common or very serious in Ireland.

Children are recommended vaccines to protect them against infections in Ireland that are common in Ireland and that could make them very sick.

Many of the vaccines given in Ireland are also given in other countries. For example, vaccines to protect against Diphtheria, Polio, Tetanus and Measles are offered to children in most countries.

There may be differences in some of the vaccines recommended in Ireland compared with other countries. This is because there may be differences between diseases that are common in Ireland compared to other countries. For example in Ireland we give vaccines that protect children against meningococcal B and C disease. These infections can cause meningitis and septicaemia. These vaccines are not part of the immunisation schedule in some countries.  But they are recommended in Ireland to protect children against these very serious infections.

Because your child is now living in Ireland, they should follow the vaccination schedule from Ireland. The vaccines recommended in Ireland protect children against diseases that are common in Ireland or that can have serious consequences.

Your child should “catch-up” with the vaccines that are recommended in Ireland. They don’t need to repeat vaccines that they already received in another country.

Rotavirus oral vaccine

Rotavirus is a viral infection which causes diarrhoea and vomiting in infants and young children. Most children will recover at home but some need to be admitted to hospital. Around 880 children under the age of 5 were admitted to hospital with rotavirus infection every year in Ireland before the rotavirus vaccine was introduced. This number has fallen dramatically since the rotavirus vaccine was introduced. Rotavirus vaccine can only be given to babies under 8 months of age.

Meningococcal B (MenB) vaccine

The MenB vaccine helps to protect your child from meningococcal B disease. This is a serious bacterial infection which can cause meningitis (inflammation of the lining around the brain) and septicaemia (blood poisoning). Meningococcal B causes most of the infections and deaths from meningitis of young children in Ireland.  MenB vaccine is not given after the age of 2 years of age.

Meningococcal C (MenC) vaccine

The MenC vaccine helps to protect your child from meningococcal C disease. This is also a serious bacterial infection which can cause meningitis (inflammation of the lining around the brain) and septicaemia (blood poisoning).

There may also be other vaccines recommended for your child. Your doctor or nurse will advise you.

Side effects after the vaccines should last for a few days only

After men B vaccine your child may develop a fever (high temperature) or may have discomfort, redness and swelling where the injection was given.

After men C vaccine   your child may have discomfort, redness and swelling where the injection was given or have a fever or be irritable

After rotavirus vaccine   your child may have mild diarrhoea.  Very rarely they may have tummy pain or develop a rash.

In Ireland family doctors (GP) provide vaccination for children. The practice nurse usually gives babies their vaccines, under the direction of the GP. There may be other clinics organised by the health service to give children vaccines that they need.

You will need to find a GP, for information about how to find a GP see information at https://www2.hse.ie/services/find-a-gp/ 

The Doctor or Nurse will speak to you about the vaccines your baby needs and talk to you about each vaccine.  It is important to bring any vaccination record you have for your baby when you go to the vaccination clinic.

No. Vaccination is free in Ireland. 

When children are in school they are recommended vaccines

In Junior Infants (age 5):

The MMR and a booster dose of Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (whooping cough) and Polio vaccines which are given in school

In 1st year of secondary school (age 12)

The HPV, MenACWY (meningococcal ACWY) and a booster dose of Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis (whooping cough) vaccines  are given in school

Yes. Adults who have not received some vaccines are recommended to receive them. For example the MMR vaccine that protects against measles mumps and rubella is recommended for adults who have never received this vaccine. Talk to your Doctor or nurse.

Talk to your GP or your Practice Nurse. If other clinics are organised by the health service to give children vaccines, you can talk to the doctor or nurse at these clinics too.