Babies will be given new vaccines from the start of next month after a deal between the Department of Health and the Irish Medical Organisation.

Parents of babies born after October 1 this year will be able to avail of the Meningococcal B and Rotavirus vacinnations from December 1.

Health Minister Simon Harris says the increased vaccination programme for babies will make further improvements to public health.

The IMO says it welcomes the fact that for GPs this vaccine programme is adequately resourced.