Immunisation Bulletin
As healthcare professionals, our role extends beyond treating ailments; we are also educators and advocates for preventative care. One of the critical areas where our guidance can make a profound difference is in the prevention of pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough in infants. We have seen an increase in pertussis in Ireland and there […]
People aged 80 and over and people aged five and above with a weak immune system can now get the spring booster and protect themselves against COVID-19 The following groups are eligible for a COVID-19 Spring booster vaccine: COVID-19 vaccines are available from participating GPs and pharmacists. HSE vaccination teams are also providing the vaccine […]
The HSE National Immunistion Office (NIO) joined the World Health Organization (WHO) European Immunisation Week (EIW) for the 20th year during the week 21st – 27th April 2024. Ahead of EIW, the HSE launched a campaign to highlight the importance of immunisation in protecting babies and children against serious diseases. Since 2020, the uptake of […]
Approximately 90% of eligible people in Ireland have already received their MMR vaccine. The WHO set a target of 95% MMR coverage in the population to achieve community immunity. Some eligible people have not been vaccinated and we need to encourage those individuals to avail of the MMR Catch-up Programme, particularly if they are planning […]
The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) has recommended changes to the Primary Childhood Immunisation Schedule for babies born on or after 1st of October 2024. The changes are as follows: Further details of NIAC recommendations can be found at: https://rcpi.access.preservica.com/uncategorized/IO_1841509f-a674-498b-9bc9-0fe15df3d091/ The National Immunisation Office is working with partners towards implementation of these changes, pending agreement. […]
The National Immunisation Office (NIO) supported four regional immunisation conferences held in February & March 2024 organised by the Professional Development Coordinators (PDCs) for Practice Nursing across the country. The conferences were held for healthcare professionals involved in the delivery of the primary childhood and other national immunisation programmes and were mainly for General practice […]
The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) advise haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients should be viewed as “never immunised” and require re-immunisation post-transplant because pre-transplant ablation of haematopoietic cells in the bone marrow eliminates immune memory. Immunity after transplant must be at least partially reconstituted for a vaccine to mount a clinically significant response. B […]