Chickenpox (2 doses at 12 months and age 4/5)
Added to schedule in 2024
Chickenpox is a viral infection with an itchy rash. Can cause complications like shingles. Click here for full details
Covid (1–2 doses in pregnancy; annually for babies from 6 months)
A respiratory virus with widespread exposure. mRNA vaccines used; safety studies ongoing. Click here for full details
Diphtheria (1 dose in pregnancy; 5 doses by age 5)
Caused by a bacterial toxin. Very rare today in Ireland. Last fatal case in 1967. Click here for full details
Hib (Haemophilus influenzae B – 3 doses + booster)
Was once a major cause of meningitis in children. Now very rare due to vaccination. Click here for full details
Hepatitis B (4 doses by 13 months)
Protects against chronic liver disease. No deaths in under-14s since 1988 in Ireland. Click here for full details<
Influenza (1 dose in pregnancy; annually between 2–5)
Contagious seasonal illness. Can be severe in babies and pregnant women. Click here for full details
Measles (2 doses at 12 months and age 4/5)
Highly contagious viral illness. Recent outbreaks in Ireland since 2018. Click here for full details
Meningococcal Disease (3 doses: 4m, 6m, 13m)
Life-threatening disease with 13 main strains. Vaccine covers a portion of them. Click here for full details
Mumps (2 doses at 12 months and age 4/5)
Causes fever and swelling of salivary glands. No deaths in under 75s since 1969. Click here for full details
Pertussis (1 dose in pregnancy; 5 doses in childhood)
Also known as whooping cough. Can be severe in young infants. Click here for full details
Pneumococcal Disease (3 doses by 13 months)
Bacterial illness with over 90 strains. Can lead to meningitis or pneumonia. Click here for full details
Polio (5 doses: 2m, 4m, 6m, 13m, and age 4/5)
Viral infection eradicated in Europe. Still present in some regions globally. Click here for full details
RSV (1 dose at birth, Sept–Feb) *New in 2024*
Respiratory Syncytial Virus is a common cause of illness in infants. New monoclonal antibody introduced in 2024. Click here for full details
Rotavirus (2 oral doses: 2 and 4 months)
Leading cause of gastroenteritis in infants. Vaccine is oral and has rare risks. Click here for full details
Rubella (2 doses: 12 months and age 4/5)
Viral infection eradicated in Ireland. Can harm unborn babies if contracted in pregnancy.Click here for full details
Tetanus (1 dose in pregnancy; 5 childhood doses)
Bacterial toxin found in soil and dust. Last child death in 1960. Click here for full details
VKDB – Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (1 injection or oral at birth)
Can cause internal bleeding in newborns. Prevented by vitamin K given shortly after birth.Click here for full details
