A report on immunisation uptake rates among children at 12 and 24 months of age in 2014 is now available from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre. 

Some highlights from the report are:

• Nationally, 92% of children at 12 months of age had received the recommended number of vaccines except for BCG. Based on available data, uptake of BCG was 87%.
• Nationally, 96% of children at 24 months of age in 2014 were reported to have received three vaccine doses to protect against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio and Haemophilus influenaze type b while 95% had received three vaccine doses to protect against hepatitis B. This is the fourth year national annual uptake rates, for children at 24 months of age, reached the target of ≥95% for these vaccines. All eight HSE Areas reached the target uptake rate of ≥95% for these vaccines among children at 24 months of age in 2014.
• Nationally, 91% (based on available data) and 92% of children at 24 months of age in 2014 had received a dose of MenC or Hib vaccine after 12 months of age. Children who do not receive these vaccines after 12 months of age are at increased risk of these diseases.
• Nationally, 93% of children at 24 months of age had received a dose of MMR vaccine. The uptake of MMR has remained stable since 2013. However, as measles is so infectious an uptake of at least 95% needs to be achieved if measles outbreaks are to be prevented.

Sarah Gee and Suzanne Cotter HPSC, on behalf of Immunisation Coordinators, Immunisation System Administrators, Immunisation administrative staff, the HSE-National Immunisation Office and the HSE-Health Protection Surveillance Centre.