Childhood Vaccinations

Childhood vaccinations are a safe and effective way to protect your child against certain vaccine-preventable diseases.

 

All children and young people in Ireland are entitled to vaccinations listed on the primary childhood immunisation schedule free of charge. Vaccinations are not mandatory, but they are strongly recommended by the health authorities for two reasons:

1. To protect your child from disease and
2. To protect the spread of disease among the wider community

 

At Galway East Medical Practice, we are happy to discuss any worries or questions you may have about your child’s vaccinations before they are vaccinated. Some parents like to complete a “vaccination passport” to help keep track of their child’s vaccinations and we are happy to provide a computerised printout of your child’s progress through the childhood vaccination schedule upon request. This useful guide for parents may also answer many questions you may have about your child’s vaccinations.

 

Childhood Immunisation Schedule

Babies born on or after 1^st October 2016

Babies born on or after 1^st of October 2016 will receive two new vaccines to protect them from meningococcal B disease and rotavirus disease. For more information on the MenB vaccine and rotavirus oral vaccine, please click here.

 

Children born BEFORE the 1^st October 2016 can also avail of the MenB vaccine. Please contact reception for more information.

Link contact reception to phone number

 

Babies born between 1^st July 2015 – 30^th September 2016

The schedule below is for babies born 1^st July 2015 – 30^th September 2016.

 

The HSE provide a useful leaflet on what to expect at each Doctor’s visit as well as what to do after your visit. Just click on the month relating to your child’s age below.

 

Babies born before 1^st July 2015

If your child were born BEFORE 1st July 2015, they would need an extra dose of MenC at six months of age.

HSE Schedule and Information Guides for Childhood Vaccinations from Birth to 13 Months
AGE TO VACCINATE	TYPE OF VACCINATION
At Birth	BCG/Tuberculosis Vaccine (given in maternity hospitals or HSE clinic) The HSE continues to experience ongoing delays with the supply of BCG vaccine. Click HERE for more information
At 2 Months Free from your GP	6 in 1 Diphtheria Tetanus Whooping Cough (Pertussis) Hib (Haemophilus influenza B) Polio (Inactivated poliomyelitis) Hepatitis B PCV (Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine)
At 4 Months Free from your GP	6 in 1 Diphtheria Tetanus Whooping Cough (Pertussis) Hib (Haemophilus influenza B) Polio (Inactivated poliomyelitis) Hepatitis B Men C (Meningococcal C)
At 6 Months Free from your GP	6 in 1 Diphtheria Tetanus Whooping Cough (Pertussis) Hib (Haemophilus influenza B) Polio (Inactivated poliomyelitis) Hepatitis B PCV (Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine)
At 12 Months Free from your GP	MMR  Measles Mumps Rubella PCV (Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine)
At 13 Months Free from your GP	Men C (Meningococcal C) Hib (Haemophilus Influenzae B)

School Vaccination Schedule

Children need to get several booster vaccines as they get older to continue to protect them from certain diseases. We have included some useful links to help you understand each of the vaccines recommended in the school vaccination schedule. If you have any worries or concerns about the following vaccinations, please book an appointment and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Link book an appointment to phone number

		School Vaccination Schedule
SCHOOL	AGE TO VACCINATE	TYPE OF VACCINE	ADMINISTERED BY
PRIMARY SCHOOL	All students aged 4-5 yrs.	Booster dose of 4 in 1 to protect against diphtheria, polio, tetanus and whooping cough (pertussis	HSE Doctor or Nurse
	All students aged 4-5 yrs.	2nd dose of MMR to protect against measles, mumps and rubella	HSE Doctor or Nurse
SECONDARY SCHOOL	All 1st yr. students	Tdap to protect against tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough	HSE Doctor or Nurse
	All 1st yr. students	Booster dose of Meningococcal C (MenC) vaccine to protect teenagers up to and including early adulthood from life-threatening meningococcal group C (MenC) infection	HSE Doctor or Nurse
	Girls in 1st yr.	HPV (Human Papillomavirus) vaccine, to protect against cervical cancer. –          two doses of the vaccine are given at 0 and six months –          Girls over 15 years of age need three doses of HPV vaccine	HSE Doctor or Nurse

Useful Links:

• HSE – Learn more about the childhood vaccination schedule
• HSE – Learn more about the 4 in 1 and MMRschool programme
• HSE – Learn more about Tdapschool programme
• HSE – Learn more about theMenC school programme.

HSE – Learn more about HPV school programme