Vaccines during COVID-19

Health Professionals giving COVID-19 Vaccine will find information here

• Statement on post immunisation advice related to COVID-19 (May 2020)
• Statement on duration of post vaccination observation (August 2020)

Should I take my baby for vaccination?

Yes. The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated during the Coronavirus pandemic, it is still important for babies to receive their vaccines at 2, 4, 6, 12 and 13 months. The HSE recommend that patients attend medical appointments; this includes vaccinations. 

The vaccines should be given on time or as soon as possible after to protect babies from serious infectious diseases.

Please contact your GP to make an appointment.

Download the Vaccination Appointment Advice for parents and guardians

Watch this short video to see what you can expect when you take your baby for their vaccinations at 2, 4, 6, 12 and 13 months of age. 

Where can I get more information about vaccines?

Please visit our Primary Childhood Immunisation section.

My child is due their school vaccinations, how can they get vaccinated?

School closures and the redeployment of school vaccination teams to COVID-19 vaccine roll-out have interrupted school vaccination programmes. In September 2020, many schools were unable to facilitate our teams due to the COVID-19 pandemic. School teams facilitated as many students as possible, both in schools where vaccinations were permitted, and in clinics outside of schools where possible.

School teams are restating clinics for school vaccinations. The school teams know what students need to get their vaccines and will contact parents and guardians to offer vaccines to students. 

The HSE school vaccination programme may need to be done in a different venue or may be delayed because of COVID-19. The HSE will try to keep these changes to a minimum.

Will my child need to restart their HPV vaccination schedule?

No. There is no requirement to restart the HPV vaccine schedule if the schedule is interrupted because of COVID-19. The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) advice from the Immunisation Guidelines for Ireland says:

If an immunisation course is interrupted, it should be resumed as soon as possible. It is not necessary to repeat the course, regardless of the time interval from the previous incomplete course*. The course should be completed with the same brand of vaccine if possible.

* except cholera vaccine

Can I go to my GP now for school vaccinations?

No. The HSE School Immunisation Programme is not provided by GP practices. 

In Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal the 4 in 1 and MMR vaccine continues to be available through your GP for children in Junior Infants or of the same age.

Should I get vaccinated?

Yes. The HSE recommend that patients attend medical appointments; this includes vaccinations.

It is important to protect yourself and your baby.

Pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine is recommended from 16-36 weeks.

The vaccines should be given on time or as soon as possible after to protect against serious infectious diseases.

Please contact your GP to make an appointment.

Download the Vaccination Appointment Advice for pregnant women.

Where can I get more information about vaccines?

Please visit our Pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine section.

• Vaccine deliveries are continuing as normal; please ensure your order is placed in time. Visit https://ordervaccines.ie/login.aspx
• The advice issued by Dr Lorraine Doherty to all General Practitioners on 29th April 2020 remains valid. 
• Download the Vaccination Appointment Advice to protect your patients and staff against COVID-19.
• Statement on post immunisation advice related to COVID-19 from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) (May 2020)
• Statement on duration of post vaccination observation from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) (August 2020)