Just three cases of meningitis C were reported in the Republic this year thanks to the introduction of a vaccine to protect against it.
Before the vaccine was introduced there were an average of 130 cases and six deaths from group C meningococcal disease each year.
Yesterday the director of the National Disease Surveillance Centre, Dr Darina O'Flanagan, said the low incidence of infection in 2003 was "a ringing endorsement of the remarkable success of the vaccination programme".
She said the incidence of the disease had "plummeted" by almost 98 per cent since the vaccine was introduced in late 2000.
The three cases that did occur this year were among two teenagers who hadn't been vaccinated and one middle-aged woman. The woman died.
Dr O'Flanagan said people had to remain vigilant.
"The advice to parents remains the same. We must ensure that infants less than one year receive the recommended three doses at 2, 4 and 6 months and that older children between one and 22 years who have not already availed of the menC vaccine receive the recommended dose. The vaccine is available free from GPs," she said.
However there is no vaccine to protect against meningitis B, of which there were 177 cases reported so far this year. Ten of those who became infected died. Eight of the deaths were among under 25s. "Its incidence remains high in Ireland and therefore it is vital that parents and health care professionals remain alert for signs and symptoms of the disease," Dr O'Flanagan said.
Symptoms include high temperature, severe headache, neck stiffness, nausea, vomiting, dislike of bright lights, drowsiness and joint or muscle pains. Sufferers may also be confused and disoriented or have fits.