Ireland childhood vaccination schedule
The vaccines in the HSE Primary Childhood Immunisation Schedule for babies, children and teenagers in Ireland, by age. Ireland changed the schedule for babies born on or after 1 October 2024, so this page covers both versions.
Vaccines by age (born on or after 1 October 2024)
This is the routine schedule for healthy children born on or after 1 October 2024. The baby vaccines are given by your GP; the school vaccines by the HSE school vaccination team.
| Age | Vaccine | Protects against |
|---|---|---|
| RSV season (September to February) | RSV antibody (nirsevimab), one dose | RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) |
| 2 months | 6-in-1 vaccine Pneumococcal (PCV) MenB Rotavirus (drops by mouth) | Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, Hib, hepatitis B Pneumococcal infections Meningococcal group B Rotavirus |
| 4 months | 6-in-1 vaccine, 2nd dose MenB, 2nd dose Rotavirus, 2nd dose | Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, Hib, hepatitis B Meningococcal group B Rotavirus |
| 6 months | 6-in-1 vaccine, 3rd dose PCV, 2nd dose | Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, Hib, hepatitis B Pneumococcal infections |
| 12 months | MMR MenB, 3rd dose Chickenpox (varicella) | Measles, mumps, rubella Meningococcal group B Chickenpox |
| 13 months | 6-in-1 vaccine, 4th dose MenC PCV, 3rd dose | Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, Hib, hepatitis B Meningococcal group C Pneumococcal infections |
| Every year from age 2 to 17 | Flu vaccine (nasal spray), October to April | Flu |
| 4 to 5 years (junior infants, in school) | 4-in-1 booster MMRV (MMR and chickenpox, 2nd dose) | Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio Measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox |
| First year of secondary school | HPV Tdap booster MenACWY | Cancers and genital warts caused by HPV Tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough Meningococcal groups A, C, W and Y |
RSV: in the 2025/26 season, the HSE offered the antibody free to babies born September to February (in the maternity hospital) and to babies aged six months or less at the start of September (at HSE clinics). It isn't available from GPs or privately. Check the HSE for the current season. Rotavirus: the first dose can only be given up to 7 months, and the vaccine isn't given from 8 months.
If your child was born before 1 October 2024
The schedule is the same at 2 and 4 months. After that it differs:
6 months
6-in-1 (3rd dose), PCV (2nd dose) and MenC.
12 and 13 months
MMR and MenB at 12 months. Hib/MenC and PCV at 13 months. No 4th dose of the 6-in-1 vaccine.
Junior infants
4-in-1 and MMR. There is no chickenpox vaccine in this schedule, but the HSE says it is available privately from your GP.
Flu and the first year vaccines are the same for both groups.
Moving to Ireland with children
- Register with a GP and bring your child's vaccination records from abroad. Your GP can compare them with the Irish schedule.
- The HSE asks you to bring your child's immunisation passport to each GP visit.
- School vaccines need a signed consent form. The school sends a consent pack home.
- Common differences: Ireland gives MenB to babies, a yearly nasal flu vaccine from age 2, and MMR at 12 months with a second dose in junior infants.
Moving away from Ireland
- Keep the immunisation passport, and ask your GP for a copy of the record before you leave.
- Your new country may schedule vaccines differently. For example, Germany requires proof of measles vaccination for Kita and school, and Switzerland gives MMR and chickenpox at 9 and 12 months.
Questions
Are childhood vaccinations free in Ireland?
Yes. The HSE says all vaccines in the childhood immunisation programme are free from your GP, and the vaccines given in the school programme are free as well.
Where does my child get vaccinated?
Baby and toddler vaccines are given by your GP, over five visits between 2 and 13 months. The junior infants and first year vaccines are normally given in school by HSE school vaccination teams. In Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal your GP gives them instead.
My child was born before October 2024. Can they get the chickenpox vaccine?
It isn't part of their schedule, but the HSE says it is available privately from your GP.
What if my child missed a vaccine or had vaccines abroad?
Bring their records to your GP, who can check them against the Irish schedule. If your child missed a school vaccine, the HSE advises contacting your local immunisation team.
Keep track with VaxFile
VaxFile shows your child's Irish schedule (the right version for their date of birth), reminds you of upcoming doses, and keeps records from every country you've lived in. Free on iOS and Android.
Sources: HSE, Primary Childhood Immunisation Schedule · HSE, School Immunisation Programme · HPSC, RSV immunisation for babies · HSE, rotavirus vaccine
This page summarises the official HSE schedule for information only. It isn't medical advice. Your GP decides which vaccines your child needs.
Last checked against the official sources: 7 October 2026.