The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) has revised downwards the age it recommends children are vaccinated.
The NIAC said it now recommended parents ensure their children were immunised against the C strain of meningitis at two, four and six months of age, while the MMR vaccine should be administered from 12 months of age.
Around a quarter of all parents are still refusing to take up the controversial MMR jab amid fears that it is linked to autism.
Speaking at the launch of the new guidelines, the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Mr Brian Lenihan, said the new programme parents could have their children immunised free of charge by a GP of their choice.
He also said he aimed to ensure a 95 per cent uptake for the programme.
"Immunisation against Meningitis C is now an integral part of the Primary Childhood Immunisation Programme," Mr Lenihan said. "This particular vaccine has played an important role in dramatically reducing both the number of cases of Meningitis C and also fatalities as a result of contracting this terrible condition."
Data provided by the National Disease Surveillance Centre indicates that 35 cases of group C disease were notified in 2001 compared to 139 cases in 2000, he noted. This is a reduction of 75 per cent.