The Health Service Executive has approved plans to offer the catch up booster vaccine to further protect children aged between six months and four years against haemophilus influenzae type b (HiB) infection.
The campaign is being introduced in response to the small number of children who have developed meningitis and other conditions despite having been vaccinated against the disease.
The HSE has been planning for a campaign since notification from the Department of Health and Children and the National Immunisation Advisory Committee of the Committee's recommendation.
The HSE has made the introduction of the campaign an urgent priority and will commence its introduction as soon as possible.
The target start date for the campaign is November, subject to logistical considerations, and it will be on-going over the winter months.
As part of the campaign a letter will be sent to parents of children in the appropriate age group informing them that the catch-up booster vaccine will be
available and giving them details of how they can get their child vaccinated.