We provide a comprehensive childhood vaccination service, with detailed information available at www.immunisation.ie.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) funds this program to ensure all eligible infants receive the recommended vaccines at no cost from their General Practitioner (GP).
At birth, the hospital will either inquire about your baby’s GP or assume that your own GP will also be caring for your newborn. The designated GP will then receive all relevant documentation concerning childhood vaccinations from the Immunisation Office.
The vaccination schedule is subject to updates, and as of December 1, 2016, the schedule for children born on or after October 1, 2016, includes five visits to the GP for the vaccinations listed below.
Childhood Immunisation Schedule
Further details can be found in the HSE’s booklet, “Your Child’s Immunisations – A Guide to Health,” which is available for download on the immunisation.ie website.
Side Effects of Vaccination
We recognize that parents may have concerns about potential side effects and are committed to addressing any questions during the vaccination visit. It is important to exercise caution when seeking information on the internet, as there is a significant amount of misinformation that can exacerbate legitimate concerns. The FAQ section on immunisation.ie offers reliable information.
Scientific evidence confirms that vaccines do not cause conditions such as autism, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, allergies, asthma, or attention deficit disorder. It’s crucial to note that developmental signs, such as those associated with autism, often appear around the age when children receive the MMR vaccine; however, this timing does not imply a causal relationship.
Given the high immunization rates, children with conditions like autism or asthma are likely to have been vaccinated, but studies have consistently shown no link between these conditions and vaccinations.
Extensive research involving thousands of children in countries such as the UK, USA, Sweden, and Finland has demonstrated no association between the MMR vaccine and autism. For instance, a study of every child born in Denmark from 1991 to 1998—where 82% received the MMR vaccine—found no difference in autism rates between vaccinated and unvaccinated children. Global health experts, including those from the World Health Organization, concur that there is no connection between the MMR vaccine and autism.