Each school year the HSE school immunisation teams deliver consent packs to Primary and Secondary schools across the country for children in Junior Infants and students in First Year.
Read about the work the school immunisation teams do when delivering the school programmes across the country.
Vaccines being offered
During the school year
- Children in Junior Infants will be offered 4 in 1 and MMR vaccines. These vaccine will be offered in one visit in most schools from September to December 2024
- Students in first year of secondary school will be offered HPV, Tdap and MenACWY. These vaccines will be offered in one visit in most schools from January 2025
These vaccines are also available to students who are in special schools or are home schooled in the same age group.
Learn more about the
You can also speak to your local immunisation team if you have any questions.
Getting your child vaccinated
You should check your child’s school bag for the HSE consent pack.
Each pack contains
- A letter from the national immunisation office
- Information about the vaccines your child will be offered
- A consent form and
- An envelope
When you have read the information, you should complete the consent form and put it in the envelope provided and send it back to your child’s school. The school team will check the consent forms and contact you if they have any questions.
You can also speak to your local immunisation team if you have any questions.
If you need some help completing the consent form for your child, we have put together some questions and answers parents have asked us.
The information you add to your child’s consent form will be added to the HSE School Immunisation System. You can read about this in the Statement of Information Practice. (57.5kb)
Vaccination Clinics
School vaccines are normally given in your child’s school by HSE school vaccination teams.
In Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal the 4 in 1 and MMR vaccines are given by your GP. You need to make an appointment with your GP to get your child vaccinated.
In Ireland, the vaccines given in the school's immunisation programme are free.
Getting school vaccines with other vaccines
The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) says that other vaccines can be given with COVID-19 vaccines. Visit the NIAC website for more information. (you will be directed to the RCPI website)
A gap is not needed between COVID-19 vaccines and the vaccines offered as part of the school vaccination programme.
Information for HSE School Immunisation Teams
Download information to support your work on the 2023/2024 school immunisation programmes
This page was updated on 22 August 2024
