National School Immunisation System (SIS)

Data Collection Type
National data collections of health and social care in Ireland
Organisation

HSE

Year established

2011

Statement of purpose

The National School Immunisation System (SIS) is intended to assist in the preparation and planning of vaccination sessions in schools and mop-up clinics as well as being used to capture student records and to allow for statistical and activity analysis.

Coverage

National — all children of school age.

Description

All parents are offered an opportunity to consent to receiving immunisations through packs distributed in schools. Immunisation teams keep manual records on the day of the school vaccination which are retrospectively entered onto the school immunisation system. Clients who do not attend are followed up with an alternative appointment at a local clinic.

Data content

Client demographic and immunisation records.

Data providers

In order to identify the target population, parents are provided with information and consent packs through all schools and via Tusla for home-schooled children.

Data collection methodology

School immunisation staff provide details of school cohorts. Parents and guardians provide demographic information and vaccinators provide vaccine information on the consent form. 

Data dictionary

Not available

Clinical coding scheme

Not applicable.

Size of national collection

Approximately 130,000 records created on average annually:

  • 70,000, two vaccinations for each age-appropriate primary school child.
  • 60,000, two vaccinations for each age-appropriate male second-level school child and four vaccinations for each age-appropriate female second-level school child.
Publication frequency

Data is updated continuously and national figures are published annually.

Accessing data

Programme report on the HPSC website. Client immunisation records are requested by individuals through their local immunisation office.

Open data portal access

No

Email contact
Telephone contact
Other comments

Clients can find information on their immunisation schedule and what to expect during a vaccination at the national immunisation website at: www.immunisation.ie