Free infant RSV vaccine clinics to run in Waterford this autumn
Pictured (left to right) at the Waterford Vaccination Centre, where parents Jack and Emer brought their baby daughter Ivy for her RSV immunisation. HSE Immunisation team members Federica Cossu, Bernadette Buckley, (dad Jack Power with baby Ivy), Geraldine Keyworth and Fionnuala Hoban.
The HSE is offering free RSV immunisation for babies at three centres in Waterford.
The programme is available for all babies born in Ireland from September 1, 2025, to February 28, 2026.
It is also available for all babies in Ireland born in the six-month period from March 1, 2025, to August 31, 2025.
Clinics in Waterford will take place as follows:
- Tuesdays (10am-4pm) in X35 X236
- Wednesdays (10am-4pm) in the , Old St. Martin’s School, Kilcohan, Waterford X91 EY73
- Thursdays (10am-4pm) in X91PK2V.
Specialist Registrar in Public Health Medicine, HSE Dublin and South East Dr. Lucinda Ryan is urging parents in the region to get their babies immunised.
“Every winter, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infection causes serious illness, including hospitalisations, especially among young infants.”
“Before this programme’s introduction, each winter, four out of every 100 infants were hospitalised because of RSV, with some infants needing special treatment in intensive care units.
"A further 50 out of every 100 infants got RSV, and many needed medical care from their GP or the emergency department of a children’s hospital.”
“In the Waterford and South Kilkenny area, we are urging parents of all eligible babies to get them immunised against RSV. In addition to resources at the Maternity Dept. in University Hospital Waterford, we have immunisation clinics running weekly in the Dungarvan and Ferrybank Primary Centres and the HSE’s Waterford Vaccination Centre (located in Old St. Martin’s School, Kilcohan),” said Dr Ryan.
Parents and guardians can book an appointment here.
Appointments will only be available from September 1, 2025, and until the first week in October 2025, and parents are advised to book early.
The RSV immunisation programme is being delivered by trained midwives in maternity settings after birth and before the baby is discharged, as well as by vaccination teams in the community.
Home visits are available for higher-risk babies, including those who are premature.
Public Health Specialist Registrar, HSE Dublin and South East Dr Brian Keating said that immunisation protects services as well as children.
“As well as protecting young babies against serious illness, the RSV immunisation programme will safeguard vital hospital paediatric services during the busy winter months by limiting preventable admissions caused by RSV-related illness.”
“The immunisation is provided free of charge and is given through a jab into the baby’s leg and will protect them against RSV throughout the winter,” said Dr Keating.
The 2024 programme showed significantly reduced infections, serious illness, and hospitalisations.
Dr Brian Keating, Public Health Specialist Registrar, HSE Dublin and South East, added:
“As well as protecting young babies against serious illness, the RSV immunisation programme will safeguard vital hospital paediatric services during the busy winter months by limiting preventable admissions caused by RSV-related illness.”
“The immunisation is provided free of charge and is given through a jab into the baby’s leg and will protect them against RSV throughout the winter,” said Dr Keating.
