The HSE would like to advise parents and guardians that there is still time to get secondary school immunisations in Donegal this summer under the 2024/2025 programme.

The School Immunisations Programme for first years in secondary school consists of three vaccines; HPV, Tdap (3in1) and MenACWY. The SIP Team has already visited every secondary school in Donegal to vaccinate children for whom parents returned completed consent forms.

If you need a consent form please phone:

Buncrana Area Immunisation office on 074 9898605

Letterkenny and Finn Valley Area Immunisation office on 074 9123753

Dungloe Area Immunisation office on 074 9898316

Donegal Town Area Immunisation office on 074 9898075

Uptake of the first-year vaccination cohort in Donegal was 69% for the HPV vaccine (even lower in some areas) at the end of this academic year. This is down from 72% last year. The uptake of the Tdap vaccine this year is 76% down from 78% last year. Meanwhile the uptake for the MenACWY vaccine is 77% which is the same as last year.

Dr Jennifer Doherty, Senior Medical Officer said “Whilst we do not have uptake figures for the rest of the country yet for this academic year, we know that Donegal is consistently below the national average for uptake of the first-year school vaccinations. This puts children in Donegal at an increased risk of vaccine preventable illnesses compared to their peers in some other parts of the country” (in the case of HPV vaccine – cancer).

 Clinics will take place in Donegal for those who may have missed getting their vaccines during the school year at the below times and dates: Forms will be available on the day.

Thursday July 31^st – Buncrana Primary Care Centre, Donegal, F93E12W- 9.15am to 1pm

Monday August 11^{th   –} County Clinic, St Conal’s Campus, Letterkenny, Donegal, F92 FW6Y- 9.30am to 4.15pm

Monday August 18^{th –} County Clinic, St Conal’s Campus, Letterkenny, Donegal, F92 FW6Y- 9.30am to 4.15pm

Vaccines reduce the risk of serious and life-threatening diseases, and all childhood vaccines are free of charge.

The HPV vaccine protects against the HPV virus which can cause cancer in both girls and boys.

The MenACWY vaccine protects against four types of meningococcal disease which can cause meningitis (inflammation of the lining around the brain) and/or septicaemia (blood poisoning).

The Tdap vaccine protects against tetanus (tetanus toxin can cause painful muscle spasms and convulsions), diphtheria (bacteria that can cause a sore throat and severe breathing difficulties) pertussis (a bacteria also known as whooping cough and causes severe coughing and vomiting.

Only one dose of HPV vaccine is required for full protection in people under age 25 years with a healthy immune system.

For more information please visit https://www.hse.ie/eng/health/immunisation/pubinfo/schoolprog/hpv/hpv-vaccination-programme/