What is the HSE baby vaccine schedule in Ireland for 2026?

The Irish vaccine schedule for babies is set by the HSE and given free at your GP surgery. The full schedule from birth to 13 months is more straightforward than it looks. Here's the plain version.

When are baby vaccines given in Ireland?

For your own baby's dates, the free Irish vaccine calculator works them out from the date of birth.

The HSE updated the childhood vaccine schedule in October 2024. The current programme for babies born on or after 1 October 2024 looks like this:

• At birth (in hospital): RSV immunisation if your baby is born between September and February. Babies born between 1 March and 31 August 2026 can get it from their GP, and some high-risk babies under 24 months can get it too.
• BCG (only if your baby needs it): for babies under 12 months who live with someone who was born in a country with high TB rates, were born in or lived for more than 3 months in a country with high TB rates and did not have the BCG vaccine, were born to parents who have TB or are in regular contact with someone with TB. Your baby will be referred if they need it.
• 2 months: 6-in-1, PCV, MenB, Rotavirus
• 4 months: 6-in-1, MenB, Rotavirus
• 6 months: 6-in-1, PCV
• 12 months: MMR, MenB, chickenpox (varicella)
• 13 months: 6-in-1 (final dose), PCV, MenC

A few jabs at each visit, in a brisk 20-minute appointment. You'll usually get them at your GP rather than a hospital.

If your baby was born before 1 October 2024, the older schedule applies. It doesn't include chickenpox, has the Hib/MenC combo at 13 months instead of the changes above, and is slightly different at the later visits. The HSE has the version for your specific birth cohort.

What injections does my baby get, and when?

Here are the injections, or jabs, your baby gets from the GP or GP practice nurse, visit by visit. There are 5 visits, at 2, 4, 6, 12 and 13 months. For babies born on or after 1 October 2024, the HSE schedule is:

• 2 months: 3 injections (6-in-1, PCV and MenB), plus the rotavirus vaccine by mouth
• 4 months: 2 injections (6-in-1 and MenB), plus the rotavirus vaccine by mouth
• 6 months: 2 injections (6-in-1 and PCV)
• 12 months: 3 injections (MMR, MenB and chickenpox)
• 13 months: 3 injections (6-in-1, MenC and PCV)

The HSE advises giving your baby paracetamol after the 2 and 4 month visits, as babies often get a high temperature after the MenB vaccine at those ages.

If your baby was born before 1 October 2024, they follow the older schedule, which has MenC at 6 months, no chickenpox vaccine at 12 months and Hib/MenC with PCV at 13 months.

What injections do babies have in Ireland?

Babies in Ireland get their injections, or jabs, from the GP or GP practice nurse at 2, 4, 6, 12 and 13 months. For babies born on or after 1 October 2024, that is 3 injections at 2 months, 2 at 4 months, 2 at 6 months, 3 at 12 months and 3 at 13 months, plus the rotavirus vaccine by mouth at 2 and 4 months. Babies born before 1 October 2024 follow the older schedule.

What does each baby vaccine cover?

A quick translation of the acronyms:

• 6-in-1: diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, Hib, Hepatitis B. One injection.
• PCV: Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. Protects against bacterial meningitis and pneumonia.
• MenB: Meningitis B.
• MenC: Meningitis C.
• Rotavirus: Given as oral drops, prevents the most common cause of severe diarrhoea in babies.
• MMR: Measles, mumps, rubella. The big trio.
• Chickenpox (varicella): Added to the schedule in October 2024. First dose at 12 months, second dose in junior infants (age 4 to 5) as the combined MMRV vaccine.
• BCG: Tuberculosis. Given selectively in Ireland, not universally.
• RSV (nirsevimab): Not technically a vaccine but an antibody injection. Given seasonally to protect babies against RSV bronchiolitis.

If you want the full clinical detail, the HSE childhood vaccines page has it. This is the parent translation.

What is normal after a baby's vaccines?

Most babies are absolutely fine. The most common reactions:

• Slight redness or hardness where the needle went in
• Mild fever in the first 24 to 48 hours (especially after MenB)
• A bit grumpier than usual for a day
• Sleeping more, or less

Paracetamol is recommended after the 2 and 4 month vaccinations. Your GP will tell you the dose.

When to ring someone:

• Fever over 39°C
• Inconsolable crying for more than 3 hours
• Unusual drowsiness or floppiness
• Convulsions
• Severe swelling at the injection site

Don't second-guess. If something feels off, ring the GP, ring HSELive (1800 700 700), or ring the out-of-hours service. They'd rather hear from you for nothing than miss something.

Why does my baby app show the wrong vaccine schedule?

Most baby tracker apps were built for the US, where the vaccine schedule is different. The number of doses, the timing, the included jabs, none of it matches Ireland.

That means American apps either:

• Remind you about jabs your baby doesn't get
• Don't remind you about jabs your baby does get
• Use names that don't match what your GP will write down

This is a small but real problem, and it's why Lullagram has the HSE schedule built in. The reminders match what your GP will actually do.

How do I keep track of my baby's vaccines?

The appointments mostly mind themselves, because your GP will usually call you. The hard part is remembering the side effects afterwards in case you want to mention them at the next visit. Lullagram has the HSE schedule built in and lets you add a note alongside each appointment. Was she sleepy that night? Did she run a temperature? What helped? Next time you come back, the notes are there. It is free to try on Android, iPhone and web.