More than twenty children in the Athlone area have been given the anti-meningitis inoculation following the death of a two-year-old from the virus.
The boy died at Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe on Monday from bacterial meningitis.
As a precautionary measure children who had were in contact with the child at a creche and a child minding group were given antibiotics.
The Midlands Health Board advised parents in the area to be alert for symptoms of meningitis which include a rash, vomiting, a high fever and headaches. They asked parents with concerns to get in touch with their GP.