For more information on the disease and symptoms, visit the Meningitis Research Foundation website here. If you have any questions about the vaccine, contact your GP.
There have been a number of cases in the news recently of children who have become ill or died after contracting meningitis B.
That, along with the fact there are around four cases of meningitis and septicaemia in Ireland every week, shows just how topical this issue is.
The Irish Independent has now reported that the HSE will be providing the vaccine to infants for free later this year and it could happen sooner than planned.
The organisation previously signalled its intention to roll out the vaccination in 2016 but it had not reached a cost-effective price with manufacturers.
However Health Minister Leo Varadkar told the publication that an agreement with GlaxoSmithKline has now been reached that will see the vaccine given for free to babies at two months, four months and 13 months.
He described it as a “positive development” before adding that Ireland will be the second country in Europe to provide the vaccine free of charge.
Last year the NHS did the same in the UK but is now under pressure to provide the vaccine for all children, up to 11 years of age, as they would have missed out as babies and would still be at risk of the disease.