Children's Vaccination Schedule in Ireland: What Every Parent Needs to Know

Vaccination is one of the most effective tools in preventive medicine. Ireland has a well-established childhood immunisation schedule that protects against many serious and potentially life-threatening diseases from birth onwards. As a parent — particularly if you are new to Ireland from another country — understanding this schedule is essential.

The Irish Childhood Vaccination Schedule

The official HSE childhood vaccination guidance has two schedules: one for children born before 1 October 2024 and another for children born on or after that date. Use your child's date of birth to select the correct schedule with your GP or practice nurse. The routine infant programme starts at 2 months; this is not a recommendation for routine BCG vaccination at birth.

For children born on or after 1 October 2024, the HSE lists:

• 2 months: 6-in-1, PCV (pneumococcal conjugate vaccine), MenB and rotavirus oral vaccine
• 4 months: 6-in-1, MenB and rotavirus oral vaccine
• 6 months: 6-in-1 and PCV
• 12 months: MMR, MenB and chickenpox (varicella) vaccine
• 13 months: 6-in-1, MenC and PCV

For children born before 1 October 2024, the infant schedule differs at 6, 12 and 13 months. Check the corresponding section of the HSE schedule rather than using the list above.

School vaccines are offered in junior infants and first year of secondary school. The HSE birth-date schedule lists 4-in-1 and MMR for older children, and 4-in-1 and MMRV for children born on or after 1 October 2024. First-year secondary students, both boys and girls, are offered HPV, Tdap and MenACWY. See the HSE School Vaccination Programme for arrangements and consent.

Why Vaccination Matters

Many parents from Eastern Europe, the Middle East, or other regions may come from countries with different vaccination schedules. Some vaccines used in Ireland may not have been available in your home country, or may have been given at different ages. It is important to let your paediatrician know your child's full vaccination history so any gaps can be identified and addressed with a catch-up schedule.

Vaccines work by stimulating the immune system to recognise and fight specific pathogens without causing disease. Herd immunity — where enough of the population is vaccinated to prevent disease spread — protects vulnerable individuals who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons.

What If My Child Has Missed Vaccines?

Missed vaccinations are common in children who have recently moved to Ireland, or whose parents were hesitant about vaccination earlier. The good news is that catch-up vaccination is available and safe. Our paediatricians at Elite Medical & Dental Clinic can review your child's vaccination record and create a personalised catch-up schedule.

Vaccination Reactions: What's Normal?

It's completely normal for children to experience mild reactions after vaccination: a sore arm, low-grade fever, irritability, or sleepiness. These typically resolve within 48 hours. MenB in particular can cause a higher temperature, and our paediatricians will advise on appropriate pain relief.

Serious reactions to vaccines are extremely rare. If you notice difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, or a rash spreading beyond the injection site, seek emergency care immediately.

Private Paediatric Vaccination at Elite Medical

All standard childhood vaccinations are available at Elite Medical & Dental Clinic. Our paediatric team, led by Dr. Renata Baranowska PhD, provides consultations in English and Polish — which is particularly valuable for parents who are more comfortable discussing their child's health in their native language. We also offer travel vaccinations for children going abroad.

To book a paediatric consultation or vaccination appointment, contact us at +353 85 102 4218 or book online.