Common Questions - Primary Childhood Immunisation Schedule

Vaccines work most of the time, but not always. Most childhood immunisations protect at least 9 out of 10 (90% to 99%) of the children who get them, but sometimes a child will not respond to certain vaccines.

This is another reason why it’s important for all children to be immunised. A child who does not respond to immunisation depends on the immunity of others around them for protection.

Very few. Your child should not get the vaccine if they have had a very severe reaction (anaphylaxis) to that vaccine or any part of it.

Rotavirus

Your child should not get rotavirus oral vaccine if they:

• - Are 8 months of age or older;
• - Have a history of blocked gut (intussusception);
• - Have a diagnosis of severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID); Have a problem with their gastrointestinal tract (gut) that could increase the risk of a blocked gut;
• - Have a sugar intolerance (fructose , sucrose-isomaltase deficiency or glucose galactose malabsorption); or
• - If their mothers took certain biological medications (for example infliximab) throughout the pregnancy and during breastfeeding.

Very few. If your child has a high fever, wait until your child is better. However, infants and children with minor coughs and colds, or those on antibiotics, can be immunised safely and effectively.

You should talk to your GP before your child gets the MMR or chickenpox (varicella) vaccines[AGB1]  if they are:

• - On high-dose steroids,
• - Receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy, or
• - Taking medications or suffering from a disease that affects their immune system.
• - Your GP might advise postponing the MMR or chickenpox (varicella) vaccines.

It is important that premature babies are protected from infectious diseases, as they are more at risk of certain infections. In general, premature babies should be immunised as normal. If your child had a very low birth weight, you should talk to your paediatrician (a doctor who has special training in medical care for children) about the child’s immunisation needs.

If your child weighed less than 3.5 kg (7 lb 7 oz) at their 6-week check, you should tell your GP or General Practice Nurse so they can reweigh your child at the 2-month visit and tell you the correct amount of paracetamol to give your child after their MenB vaccine.

It is very important that children with serious diseases are immunised, because they are often more at risk from complications of infections.

Children living with conditions like cerebral palsy or who have Down Syndrome should get their immunisations at the usual times.

However, care is needed if your child’s illness, or its treatment, may lower their immunity. Talk to your GP (doctor) about immunisation if your child:

• - Has cancer,
• - Has severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID),
• - Has any other immune deficiency, or
• - Is taking medicines which may reduce their ability to fight infection.
• - Speak to your GP if your child has received a blood transfusion or any blood products. Your GP will tell you when your child should receive their MMR and chickenpox (varicella) vaccines.

Yes. Children who are allergic to egg can safely get the MMR vaccine in the GP surgery. If your child simply dislikes eggs or has diarrhoea or stomach pains after eating eggs, they should still get their MMR vaccine.

Even children with a severe egg allergy should get the MMR vaccine.

If your child has epilepsy and their condition is stable, they should be immunised. Children with a family history of fits or epilepsy should also be immunised as normal.

Some children get febrile convulsions (fits) if they have a fever. As some children get a fever after the MenB vaccine which is given at 2 months and 4 months of age (visits 1 and 2), we recommend that you give your child liquid infant paracetamol after this vaccine.

If your child gets a fever after the vaccines at 6, 12 and 13 months of age (visits 3, 4 and 5), you can also give them liquid infant paracetamol. Always follow the directions on the package. If your child has had febrile convulsions before, please follow the advice you have been given by your child’s paediatrician about how to manage a high temperature.

Trust your instincts and speak to your GP or your General Practice Nurse if you are worried about your child after their vaccinations. Visit MyChild.ie for advice on how to care for your child with a high temperature.

They should still be immunised. Having surgery is not a reason to put off immunisation, and a recent immunisation is not a reason to put off surgery. However, if your child had surgery for a gut problem, they may not be able to have the rotavirus oral vaccine at 2 and 4 months of age.

Children who are on antibiotics can usually receive their vaccines at the usual time, once they are not very unwell with a temperature of 38 °C or higher. Speak to your GP or your General Practice Nurse if you have questions about your child’s antibiotics.

You should still immunise your child. It is important that your child is protected against all the diseases that the vaccine covers, even if the child has caught one of the diseases before.

Children under 1 year may not get enough natural immunity following illness, so they should still be immunised.

Yes. There is no problem with this. In fact, immunising your child will protect the pregnant woman from being exposed to diseases like rubella, measles and chickenpox.

If you are pregnant and you are not immune to chickenpox (you’ve never had a chickenpox infection or a chickenpox vaccine before), we recommend that your child gets the chickenpox (varicella) vaccine at the usual time. This will help to protect you from being exposed to chickenpox.

Sometimes after the chickenpox (varicella) vaccine, children can develop a mild rash with a few spots. The rash goes away on its own and does not need treatment. If you are pregnant and not immune to chickenpox, and your child develops this rash after vaccination, please follow the guidance below. You can also find advice there if your child develops a rash after the chickenpox vaccine and there is a newborn baby at home whose mother is not immune to chickenpox.

Should my child get vaccines vaccine while they are in close contact with someone with a very weak immune system? Yes. It is very important to vaccinate your child. This will help protect the person with a very weak immune system (e.g. someone taking chemotherapy treatment for cancer) from infectious diseases like measles and chickenpox. Sometimes children get a rash with spots after the chickenpox (varicella) vaccine. The rash goes away on its own and does not need treatment. If your child develops this rash after vaccination and is living with a person with a very weak immune system, please read the guidance below. 

Yes. Some children may need other vaccines as they are more at risk of infection. These include children who have had their spleens removed or who have cystic fibrosis; an immune deficiency; chronic heart, lung, liver or kidney disease; sickle cell disease; diabetes or any long-term illness. Talk to your GP about this.

During ’flu season’, the HSE may recommend that children receive the children’s flu vaccine. For children aged over 2 years, this can be given as a spray up the nose.

If you are travelling to another country, remember to find out if your child needs any special vaccines. If you have any questions or doubts, talk to the GP or General Practice Nurse giving the immunisation.

Yes. If your child has moved to Ireland, they need to follow the Irish immunisation schedule. This is because your child is now living in Ireland and needs to be protected against diseases that are common in Ireland. Some of these diseases could make your child very sick. You should make an appointment with your GP or your General Practice Nurse, who will tell you what vaccines your child may need.

Yes. You need to take your child’s immunisation records to your GP or General Practice Nurse. They will see if there are any vaccines that your child should have to best protect them against diseases more common in Ireland.

You can order a new immunisation passport free of charge at www.healthpromotion.ie.You will need to contact your GP or Local Health Office to request a list of the vaccines your child has already received.