Pneumococcal vaccination in the Republic of Ireland
Vaccines against pneumococcal disease
There are currently two vaccines that protect against pneumococcal disease; a 23-type 'polysaccharide' vaccine for and a newer 7-type 'conjugate' vaccine.
23-type polysaccharide vaccine
This vaccine can protect most adults for five years or more against the top 23 disease causing types of pneumococcal infection. However, it does not work in children under two years old and is less effective in people with immune deficiencies and the under-fives.
7-type conjugate vaccine
The newer 7-type 'conjugate' vaccine is similar to the successful Hib and Men C vaccines, which provide stronger, more long-term protection than the plain polysaccharide vaccines, even in babies. This vaccine covers the seven types that cause over 80% of serious pneumococcal disease in Irish and UK children aged 6 months to 2 years and about 75% in the under fives in Europe generally. The routine use of this vaccine in America since June 2000 has established a good safety record and shown that it is effective. It is now also offered routinely in the UK, Australia, Canada, Austria, Italy, Spain and Norway.
This vaccine was introduced into the Irish childhood vaccination programme on 1 September 2008.
Current schedule in Republic of Ireland for children born on or after 1st July 2008
| 2 months |
4 months |
6 months |
12 months |
13 months |
4-5 years |
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 |
|
MMR |
|
|
|
|
Hib |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diptheria/ Tetanus/ Pertussis/ Polio
('4-in-one') |
There is a catch-up programme if your child was born between 02/09/06-30/06/08. You can view this immunisation schedule at http://www.immunisation.ie/en/HotTopics/Text_15413_en.html
Please remember that although vaccines that are currently available can provide excellent protection, there are several major forms of meningitis and septicaemia for which there is no vaccine.
Page last updated 05.09.08