Baby Checks and Childhood Immunisations

Tiny babies and new parents need a little extra care! Routinely, we would see new babies when they are 2 weeks old and again at 6 weeks old, free of charge. These visits involve  comprehensive assessment and examination which aim to identify any medical issues, any problems with feeding, (breast or bottle), sleeping,  weight gain or any other potential parenting difficulties or parental concerns. Some issues such as congenital cataracts, abnormalities in head circumference, dislocatable hips, (Congenital hip dysplasia), undescended testicles, cardiac murmurs, squints, amongst others can be picked up and addressed at this point. The GPs at Galway City Medical Centre, all parents themselves, understand well the stresses involved looking after babies/ toddlers/ young adults; both when they are well and unwell!. We would make every effort to provide same day appointments, or advice by phone where appropriate, for all of our patients. We also provide 24 hr access to a GP for appointments or advice;  nights, evenings, weekends or bank holidays.

The Childhood Immunisations

start when they are 2 months old, with the exception of the vaccine for TB (“BCG”) which is given at birth in some areas)  – a full schedule of the recommended childhood immunisations are listed on this page and these vaccines are all provided and administered free of charge . These immunisations are extremely important in preventing potentially dangerous illnesses such as Meningitis, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio, Typhoid, Haemophilus influenza, Hepatitis B, Whooping cough among others. Parents will often have many questions before embarking on a journey of injecting their kids with vaccines; are they safe? Will it make them sick? What about the rumours about connections with autism/ narcolepsy? Which ones are “live” and which ones are “inactive”? How many are safe to give at one time? The decision to give these vaccines is taken together with parents when they are given all of this information.

Winter Immunisations

Certain groups of patients can become significantly more unwell contracting the “winter colds and flu’s”- contracting these diseases can be incapacitating or even potentially dangerous in  patients who are over 65, who are pregnant, who have chronic illnesses such as asthma, diabetes, heart or lung disease,  HIV, Cystic Fibrosis, or who are on immunosuppressive medications for conditions such as Rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, Psoriasis, Connective tissue disorders, Sarcoidosis amongst others. In these situations a person’s immune system is often a little weaker and consequently less able to fight off these otherwise minor illnesses.

The vaccinations against Seasonal Flu and Pneumococcal disease are completely free of charge for these at risk groups who may benefit greatly from avoiding these illnesses. These are inactive vaccines which just confer you with (temporary) immunity and do not stimulate your own immune system; so they shouldn’t cause you to feel unwell. The “at risk groups” list who should benefit most from these vaccinations can be found here.