merrion street

Minister for Health Simon Harris T.D. today welcomed the commencement of the Meningitis B and Rotavirus vaccination programme. Parents from today can avail of Meningococcal B and Rotavirus vaccinations from their family doctor. The rollout follows consultation under the Framework Agreement between the Irish Medical Organisation, the Department of Health and the HSE.
The Minister stated “I am pleased that today Meningitis B and Rotavirus vaccines have been added to the Primary Childhood Immunisation Programme. I again want to thank the IMO and GPs for helping us deliver this Programme. I look forward to continuing dialogue with the IMO and GPs, in particular in relation to the development of a new and modernised GP contract. "
All babies born on, or after, the 1st October 2016 will receive vaccines for Meningococcal B (Men B) and Rotavirus disease in addition to the other childhood vaccines currently given. The first doses of these vaccines are given at two months of age, which means that the first babies are due to begin receiving these vaccines from the the 1st December.
The HSE has been working with GPs and other health professions for a number of months to prepare for the introduction of the new vaccines. This work has included providing training to over 3,000 vaccinators, distributing vaccines to GP practices, and providing information on the new vaccines to parents and professionals.
ENDS
Note for Editors:

Further information about the new immunisation schedule is available here: http://www.hse.ie/eng/health/immunisation/pubinfo/newschedule/immschedule/