A campaign to administer booster vaccinations against the Hib infection to children between one and four years old has been unveiled by the Health Service Executive(HSE).
This follows a recommendation from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) in July after an increased incidence of the infection, which can cause a lethal form of meningitis, was observed.
The HSE said today the booster is now available free of charge from general practitioners to all 220,000 children in the appropriate age groups who will be called to receive it between now and the middle of May next year.
The campaign is to be run in three phases - one-year-old children are now being called, and parents of these children will receive information telling them when and how their child can get the booster.
Children aged two and three years will be offered the vaccine in January and February and their parents contacted at that time, the HSE said.
All children reaching one year of age during the campaign will also be offered the Hib booster vaccine
"Parents of children who have already received a dose of Hib or 5 in 1 vaccine after the age of 12 months should check with their GP to see if the Hib booster is necessary," the HSE said.
Assistant National Director of Population Health - Health Protection with the HSE, Dr Kevin Kelleher, said the campaign is being introduced in response to the small number of children who have developed Hib infection despite having been vaccinated against the disease.
"Parents should also continue having their babies immunised at two, four and six months as recommended," Dr Kelleher added.
In September a two-year-old Co Louth boy died from meningitis caused by the bacterium haemophilus influenzae type b or Hib. The boy had already been vaccinated against the disease.
The immunisation shot currently given to infants at two, four and six months is known as the 5-in-1 and includes a vaccine against Hib infection. Up to now, a four-in-one booster has been given to children between three and four years of age to top up immunity.
The increased incidence of Hib infection was detected in June of this year and prompted an urgent meeting of the NIAC. It recommended a single dose of Hib vaccine be given to children between 13 months and four years of age.
Parents can get information on the Hib Booster Catch-up Campaign at Lo-Call 1850 24 1850. The line will be open on weekdays during the current Hib Booster Catch-up Campaign from 9.30am until 5pm.
