Childhood immunisation in the UK and Ireland

How can I protect my children from meningitis?

The single most effective thing your children from meningitis is to make sure they are fully immunised. Every injection in the routine immunisation programme for babies protects against some form of meningitis, as indicated in bold.

Routine immunisation schedule for babies in the UK

2 months	3 months	4 months	12 to 13months
Hib + diptheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio (DTaP/IPV/Hib)	Hib + diptheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio (DTaP/IPV/Hib)	Hib + diptheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio (DTaP/IPV/Hib)
Pneumococcal (PCV13)		Pneumococcal (PCV13)	Pneumococcal (PCV13)
	Meningococcal C (MenC)	Meningococcal C (MenC)
			Hib + Meningococcal C (Hib/MenC)
			Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)

Current schedule in Ireland for children

2 months	4 months	6 months	12 months	13 months
Diptheria/ Tetanus/ Pertussis/ Polio / Hib/ Hepatitis B ('6-in-one')	Diptheria/ Tetanus/ Pertussis/ Polio / Hib/ Hepatitis B ('6-in-one')	Diptheria/ Tetanus/ Pertussis/ Polio / Hib/ Hepatitis B ('6-in-one')
	MenC	MenC		MenC
Pneumococcal		Pneumococcal	Pneumococcal
			MMR
				Hib

Although vaccines provide excellent protection, not all forms of meningitis can be prevented, so it is important to know the symptomsso that you can recognise the disease in time to get medical help if your child is affected.