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2nd October 2024
12:44pm BST
A major change has been introduced to the childhood immunisation schedule with babies now receiving the chickenpox vaccine at 12 months old.
A second dose will be provided when your child is in Junior Infants. It will be provided by your GP for free.
The vaccine will likely offer longterm immunisation with the HSE confirming it will protect against chickenpox for 20 years and longer.
Chickenpox is incredibly common in Ireland, but experts believe the vaccine will help limit the spread of the virus.
Dr Chantal Migone, Consultant in Public Health Medicine at the HSE National Immunisation Office said:
"As more children are vaccinated with the chickenpox vaccine, it benefits everybody because there’s less chicken pox circulating in child care settings and schools and in the community."
She told RTÉ's Morning Ireland that this is a positive development for children.
The vaccine will protect children from developing serious complications like pneumonia and septicemia.
However, she said there are some children who would not be able to get the vaccine.
There "are some children where parents should seek the advice of their specialist about whether they should get the vaccine".
Dr. Migone added, "It will protect your child from chickenpox which can be serious, and we encourage parents to avail of all the vaccines in our programme.
"Children’s immune system can really deal well with vaccines and it’ll protect them against those things," she continued.
There will be no changes to the GP visits required. They will remain at 2, 4, 6, 12 and 13 months.
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