Child Immunisation
- Should my child be immunised?
- What should my child be immunised against?
- When should my child be immunised?
- How are the vaccines administered?
Should my child be immunised?
Medical opinion is almost unanimous that children should be vaccinated against certain contagious diseases at an early age. This is the most effective form of disease prevention. Diseases such as measles can be fatal, and were a major cause of infant death in times before a national vaccination scheme was introduced. Today, in parts of the world without comprehensive vaccination, children are still dying from these illnesses in significant numbers.
Recommendations on Ireland's vaccination schemes are drawn up by a group from the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, which represents doctors from all the relevant branches of medicine. This group revises the recommendations every few years to allow for the introduction of new vaccines to Ireland and to keep abreast of changes in the patterns of disease.
Any parents who may have reservations about immunising their children should discuss their fears with their GP.
What should my child be immunised against?
It is recommended that children be immunised against tuberculosis, polio, mumps, measles, rubella (German measles), pertussis (whooping cough), diphtheria, tetanus (lockjaw) and haemophilus influenza b disease (Hib).
A vaccine against type C meningococcus has been introduced in Ireland and the Department of Health is encouraging all parents to take the opportunity to vaccinate their child. Since September 2000, the department has targeted different age groups.
A vaccination against hepatitis B is recommended for newborn infants whose mothers may have or have had the disease.
When should my child be immunised?
In the first month of life, the child may receive a BCG vaccination, depending on which part of the country you live in. This protects against tuberculosis, and may be performed at the maternity hospital or at your local health centre. The BCG vaccination service is not standardised nationally so ask for details of the local scheme from your GP or maternity hospital.
The primary care immunisation scheme has been administered by family doctors since 1996, where previously the scheme was run through local health centres.
A national schedule of vaccinations that the child should receive during the first six months of life has been drawn up. A vaccine schedule will be agreed with your doctor at your first visit with your new baby.
Your child should receive a course of three DTP vaccinations, which protect against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis. Your GP will also administer a series of three vaccinations against Hib and polio at the same time. These vaccinations are normally performed around two, four and six months old.
The new vaccine to protect children against meningococcal C will also be administered to children at two, four and six months.
At the age of 15 months, your child should receive the MMR vaccination, which protects against mumps, measles and rubella. The measles vaccine is normally given at 15 months, with a booster at five years. However, it is licensed for use any time from six months on. If it is given before 12 months it must be repeated, along with the booster at five years. The second MMR may be given at 11-12 years if it has not already been given at five years.
If the Department of Health deems that there is an epidemic of any of these diseases, it may advise earlier vaccination of children.
This measles vaccine is usually given to at-risk children at six months. This includes children with congenital heart disease, for example.
At five years old, your child should receive a DT booster injection for continued protection against diphtheria and tetanus, and a booster against polio. This will soon become a DTP booster, including a booster for pertussis.
At least three weeks after the MMR booster, but usually a year or more later, your child may receive a BCG booster if it is health board policy to do so.
At school leaving age, young people should be given adult tetanus and low dose diphtheria vaccine.
How are the vaccines administered ?
The polio vaccination and subsequent boosters can be delivered as an injection into the arm, or given orally as drops. All other vaccinations are administered by injection in the arm or thigh.
Check Out Irishhealth.com's Online Child Vaccination Tracker.
