Version:

02-04-2014 16-09-2014: 2-dose HPV vaccination schedule 01-07-2015: MenC policy change 23-11-2016: New schedule for babies born ON or AFTER 1 October 2016 01-09-2019: Gender-neutral HPV introduced 01-10-2020: Influenza vaccine for children from season 2020/2021 01-01-2023: 2023 vaccination calendar 01-01-2024: 2024 vaccination programme 25-06-2025: Version 2025 02-02-2026: Version 2026

Footnotes:

1. Those with high risk conditions (as outlined in national guidance) from 24 months of age are recommended PCV13 and PPV23. PPV23 should be given at least two months after the PCV13 dose. A second dose of PPV23 may be indicated for some, at least 5 years after first dose. Depending on age and risk factors a person may require 1, 2 or 3 doses of PPV23.
2. For a full description of meningococcal C national guidance and vaccination policy, please refer to the corresponding chapter at https://www.hiqa.ie/reports-and-publications/niac-immunisation-guideline/chapter-13-meningococcal-infection
3. A COVID-19 vaccine is recommended once each year for those aged 6 months-59 years with medical conditions associated with a higher risk of COVID-19 hospitalisation, severe disease or death. A COVID-19 vaccine is recommended twice each year for anyone aged 6 months and older with immunocompromise and anyone aged 18 years and older living in a long term residential care facility for older adults. A COVID-19 vaccine is recommended in pregnancy for anyone with immunocompromise or a medical condition associated wiht a higher risk of COVId-19 hospitalisation, severe disease or death. Annual access is also be available to healthcare workers, pregnant adolescents and adults, and adults aged 18–59 who choose vaccination after consulting a healthcare provider. For complete information:https://www.hiqa.ie/sites/default/files/NIAC/Immunisation_Guidelines/Chapter_05a_COVID-19.pdf
4. Booster dose d, TT acP
5. Tdap - Vaccination for pregnant women between 16-36 weeks gestation.
6. One dose of PPV is recommended for all aged 65 years and older. Specific at risk groups are recommended PPV23. In some, PCV may also be recommended. Please refer to Chapter 16 Immunisation Guidelines https://www.hiqa.ie/reports-and-publications/niac-immunisation-guideline/chapter-16-pneumococcal-infection
7. Varicella vaccine will be available as MMRV in Ireland to all babies born after 1st October 2024 when they are in junior infants (aged 4-5 usually) in school.
8. In 2026/2027 HPV catch-up vaccination will be available in schools to those who did not avail of the opportunity to get vaccinated in 1st year (aged 12/13 year).
9. The national influenza programme offered an influenza vaccine to all aged 60 years and older, all those aged 2-17 years, all healthcare workers, all pregnant women, all those aged 18 years and older living in long term residential care, anyone aged 6/12 to 2 years or aged 18 years and older with a condition putting them at risk of influenza related complications, all household contacts of those at risk of influenza related complications, all out of home care givers to those at risk of influenza related complications, and people who have regular contact wiht pigs, poultry of waterfowl. Full information on recommendation is available https://www.hiqa.ie/sites/default/files/NIAC/Immunisation_Guidelines/Chapter_11_Influenza.pdf. The inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV) and the Live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) were both trivalent vaccines in 2025/2026 influenza season in Ireland.

More information available at:
http://www.immunisation.ie/


---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Administration costs for the adult vaccines may have to be paid by recipient, especially if they are not covered by the medical card. (While having a card is usually income dependent, those with specific chronic medical condition may be entitled to free health care).

FUNDING OF THE VACCINATION PROGRAMME
- All the childhood/adolescent vaccines are free of charge (both for vaccine and administration costs)
- For vaccines recommended for adults, the vaccine is free but administration of vaccine may be charged to patient (which is based on income and eligibility for free health care)

MAJOR HISTORICAL CHANGES
1937: BCG first became available in the country

1930s: DT was introduced into national vaccination schedule

1949: BCG was introduced into national vaccination schedule

1952-1953: DTP was introduced into national vaccination schedule

1957: OPV was introduced into national vaccination schedule

1971: Rubella vaccine was introduced into national vaccination schedule for pre-pubertal girls (12-14 years of age)

1985: Measles vaccine was introduced into national vaccination schedule for children 15 months to 5 years of age

1988: The combined MMR vaccine was introduced into national vaccination schedule for children 15 months to 2 years of age and also for girls 10-14 years thereby replacing the rubella vaccine

1992: A second dose of MMR (MMR2) was recommended for all children at ages 10-14 years

1992: Hib was introduced into national vaccination schedule

1995: A measles and rubella vaccination campaign for primary school-age children was conducted for children aged 5 to 12 years

1999: The recommended age of MMR2 was lowered from 10-14 years to 4-5 years

2000: MenC was introduced into national vaccination schedule

2001: DTaP-Hib-IPV (pentavalent vaccine) was introduced into national vaccination schedule (IPV replaced OPV)

2002: The age of first MMR dose reduced to 12-15 months

2008: The age of first MMR dose reduced to 12 months

2008: From 1st September: Introduction of PCV7 into national vaccination schedule

2008: From 1st September: Introduction of Hepatitis B as the hexavalent vaccine (DTap - Hep B - Hib - IPV) replaced the pentavalent vaccine
(DTaP-Hib-IPV)

2008: From 1st September: Change in timing of MenC to be given at 13 months of age

2008: From 1st September: Change in timing of Hib vaccine (Hib) to be given at 13 months of age

2009: MMR catch-up campaign for students aged 15-18 years in response to large national mumps outbreak

2010: From May: HPV vaccination programme introduced for girls aged 12-13 years

2011: From September: HPV catch-up campaign for school going girls aged 18 years until end of 2013/2014
2011: From September: Introduction of Tdap adolescent booster (aged 12-13 years)

2012/2013: MMR catch-up campaign for all students (aged 12-18 years) in schools

2013/2014: MMR catch-up for students in primary school (aged 4-12 years) and first year of second level school (aged 12-13 years)

2013: From September: Tdap introduced for pregnant women between 27-36 weeks gestation

2014 (Aug): updated national guidance for HPV, MenC and Tdap routine vaccination. HPV starting as a 2-dose schedule from September 2014. MenC adolescent booster 1 dose schedule starting from September 2014. See latest expert committee guidance http://www.hse.ie/portal/eng/health/immunisation/hcpinfo/guidelines/immunisationguidelines.html for changes.

2015: MenC policy change. For a full description of meningococcal C national guidance that may affect policy and recommendations please refer to http://www.hse.ie/portal/eng/health/immunisation/hcpinfo/guidelines/immunisationguidelines.html. All children born on or after 1st July 2015 will be offered 2 doses of MenC for the primary programme at 4 months and 13 months and a booster dose of MenC in second level school (Age 12-13 years).

2016: Change of schedule for babies born ON or AFTER 1 October 2016. Meningococcal B and rotavirus vaccine added to the childhood immunisation schedule.

2020: LAIV recommended for children 2 to 17 years

2021: Flu recommended for adults 50 years and older

2024: From January 2024, only one dose of HPV is recommended.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Date of last update: 10 February 2026

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------