Childhood Vaccinations

All Childhood vaccinations are free of charge and are recommended from 2 months of age. Vaccines can be deferred to a later date if your child has a high temperature on the day of vaccine. Please telephone the surgery for an appointment with the Nurse.

2 month vaccines    6:1 + Pneumococcal (PCV) + Rotavirus (3 injections + oral drops)

4 month vaccines    6:1 + Men B + Rotavirus  (2 injections + oral drops)

6 month vaccine      6:1 + Pneumococcal (PCV) + Men C (3 injections)

12 month vaccine     MMR + Pneumococcal vaccine (PCV) (2 injections)

13 month vaccine     Men C/Hib + Men B (2 injections)

5 years                       MMR + 4:1 given in child’s Primary School

11-14 years                MMR Booster given in child’s Secondary School

** In 2016 the National Immunisation Advisory Committee updated the list of recommended vaccines for children. This schedule now includes Men B and Rotavirus.  The 6:1 vaccine now contains Diphtheria, Tetanus, Whooping Cough, Hib, Polio, Hep B. The vaccine if free but it will incur a consultation fee for the administration of the vaccine.

Side effect of child vaccines

All vaccines carry some side effects, but in general most people return to their routine activities the same day. Some minor effects may include, high temperature, headache or slight swelling of the injection area.

Record of your Child vaccinations

If you require a list of your child’s childhood vaccinations please give us at least 24 hours notice for us to access these records. Please note that we will only have a record of the vaccines administered at Carrig Medical Centre. If you require a print out of same please let the receptionist know at the time of your query.

Meningitis B Vaccine

Cost per dose €150.00,  (2 doses needed)

We are now offering the Men B vaccine (Bexsero) at  Carrig Medical Centre.   It helps protect against the leading cause of bacterial and septicaemia meningitis.  Meningitis can strike in an instance, but its impact can last a lifetime. Ireland has the highest incidence of meningococcal disease in Europe and with men B accounting for the majority of these cases.

This vaccine is included through the routine immunisation program since the 1st of October 2016,  any child born before the 1st of October can have the vaccine administered privately at Carrig Medical Centre for €150.00 per vaccine.

The vaccine is available to all children from 2 months of age, and is usually given in two doses, and a booster at 12 months depending on the age of your child when it has first been administered.

Chickenpox Vaccine

Cost per dose €90.00,  (2 doses needed)
We now offer chickenpox (Varicella) vaccination to children aged 14 months or older. Many parents now like their children to be vaccinated against this infection, to help prevent the considerable misery to the child.

HSE recommendations are for 2 doses at least 1 month apart.

It is a routine vaccine in many countries but not on the childhood vaccine schedule in Ireland yet.

It must be given at least a month after other vaccines, so we recommend giving it a month after your baby has the 12-month and 13-month vaccines, i.e. at 14 months, but can be given any time after this too.

The cost is €90 per vaccine, which is a lot less hassle than the 2 unexpected and possibly unpaid weeks off work you’ll have to take when the creche tell you that they won’t take your child until the infection has passed.

Please contact Marie or Rachel to organise an appointment with Aisling or Erica ( the Practice Nurses),  to administer this vaccine. This vaccine needs to be paid for before an appointment can be given, as we only order the vaccine when required.

What is Chickenpox?

Chickenpox is a common disease of childhood and is caused by exposure to the Varicella Zoster virus (VZV) which is transmitted by direct personal contact or by airborne means. Incubation period is usually 14 to 16 days (range 10-21).

The illness itself is usually mild but it can be associated with more severe complications. VZV remains dormant after chickenpox but can reactivate later resulting in shingles. The risk of this increases with age.

Why vaccinate?

A vaccine is available and is licensed for use in Ireland in children over 1 year and adults. However, vaccination against VZV does not form part of the National Childhood Immunisation Programme (for cost reasons mainly). Many other countries routinely fund vaccination of children against VZV. The cost of vaccination in Carrig Medical Centre is €90 per dose. The three main reasons why parents get their child vaccinated are:

  1. To help reduce the chance of you needing 2-3 weeks off work if their creche won’t take them when infected
  2. To reduce unnecessary suffering of the child. Complications can include pneumonia, secondary bacterial skin infections and viral meningitis and encephalitis. Fatality Rate: 1/100,000 in children and 25/100,000 in adults
  3. To help reduce the chance of shingles in later life which has it’s own complications (e.g. post-herpetic neuralgia)

Vaccination Schedule:

  • Children can receive the vaccine from 12-14 months of age. It should not be given within one month of any other live vaccines (e.g. MMR, yellow fever).
  • Children aged from 1 year to less than 13 years  – 2 Doses are recommended, 4 to 8 weeks apart (we recommend your child gets the 12-month and 13-month vaccines as per Irish schedule, then get this one any time after 14 months)

Effectiveness:

  • Vaccine efficacy is estimated to be 70-90% against infection, and 90-100% against moderate or severe disease. Vaccine efficacy is lower (~75%) in those aged >13 years. Immunity in most appears to be long lasting, probably life long. However, approximately 1% of vaccinees per year have developed mild breakthrough infections.

Side effects:

  • Common: Mild injection site soreness;  

Contact Carrig Medical Centre.
We look forward to being of help to you.

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