The HSE’s RSV immunisation programme available in Kilkenny

The HSE is extending its RSV immunisation programme to all babies in Ireland born from 1 March 2025 to 31 August 2025 in Kilkenny. This immunisation programme is also available in maternity settings to all babies born in Ireland from 1 September 2025 to 28 February 2026.

Patricial McQuillan, Director of Nursing, Regional Vaccination Programme, Health & Wellbeing, IHA Carlow/Kilkenny/Tipperary South & IHA Waterford/Wexford says: “Every winter, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infection causes serious illness, including hospitalisations, especially among young infants. “In the Kilkenny area, we are advising parents of those babies eligible to get this immunisation to ensure their children are protected ahead of the winter.

“For the babies born from 1 March 2025 to 31 August 2025, we have immunisation clinics running, for example, in community care in Kilkenny and the Newpark Primary Care Centre.”

How to get your baby immunised:

Parents and guardians of babies born from 1 March 2025 to 31 August 2025 can book an appointment at https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/rsv/immunisation/. These appointments will only be available from 1 September 2025 and until the first week in October 2025.

Parents and guardians are advised to book early to ensure their child is protected ahead of any surge in RSV infections later in the autumn/winter.

The HSE winter infant RSV programme clinics in Kilkenny take place at:

• 16 September – 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm

Kilkenny Community Care, James Green, Kilkenny

• 18 September – 9am to 1pm & 2pm to 4pm

Ferrybank Primary Care Centre, Belmont, Kilkenny

• 19 September – 10am to 1pm and 2pm and 4pm

Newpark Primary Care Centre, Golf Links Road, Pennelfatherslot

For babies born from 1 September 2025 to 28 February 2026, their parents and guardians will be offered the immunisation before the baby leaves the maternity hospital.

The RSV immunisation programme is being delivered by trained midwives in maternity settings after birth and before the baby is discharged and by vaccination teams in the community for children born since 1st of March 2025 until 31st of August 2025, as well as at home for higher risk babies (including those who are premature).

Further information on the HSE RSV immunisation programme is available at https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/rsv/immunisation/