Baby Oisín

Courtesy of the Irish Meningitis Trust

• Meningitis and septicaemia (blood poisoning) are not always easy to recognise, and symptoms can appear in any order.
• Some may not appear at all. In the early stages, the signs and symptoms can be similar to many other more common illnesses, for example 'flu.
• Trust your instincts. If you suspect meningitis or septicaemia, get medical help immediately
• Meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia are serious diseases that can affect anyone at any time. Most people who get meningitis and septicemia will make a full recovery , but sometimes there are after-effects and complications.
• Around 80% of meningococcal disease in Ireland is caused by the group B. There is currently no vaccine to prevent disease caused by this group.
• There are around 300 diagnosed cases of Bacterial Meningitis in Ireland every year.
• A new vaccine against Pneumococcal Meningitis is due this September, but parents need to continue to be vigilant because children are still not vaccinated against all causes of Meningitis.

More about meningitis

• What is Meningitis?
• Meningococcal disease
• Pneumococcal
• Hib
• Viral
• Treatment
• For more information, visit the Irish Meningitis Trust Homepage

Immunisation Guidelines

All the immunisations listed are free.

The table below shows what immunisations are given, at what age, and where.

Courtesy of the Irish Meningitis Trust