Wicklow families heading abroad advised to avail of MMR vaccination clinic

It follows advice to families who are travelling abroad with babies aged six-11 months to get an additional MMR vaccine due to rising incidence of measles cases across Europe.

Some 56 cases of measles have been confirmed in Ireland to date this year, according to the latest figures from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC). The majority of confirmed cases this year have been in people aged 34 or younger. Two cases have been confirmed in children younger than 12 months.

A MMR catch up vaccination clinic will be taking place in Wicklow Vaccination Base, Kiladreenan, Newtownmountkennedy, Wicklow, A63 K061 on Thursday, June 27 from 2.30pm – 4.30pm. You can book an appointment on hse.ie. Walk-ins will also be facilitated.

The HSE has advised that the MMR vaccine is the only protection against measles. Two doses of MMR vaccine in your lifetime are needed to give full protection. Measles is a highly infectious disease that can cause serious complications, particularly in children under one year of age, pregnant women, and the immunosuppressed.

The HSE’s MMR catch-up campaign aims to protect against measles due to a rise in cases of the disease in the UK and Europe. It focuses on delivering the MMR vaccine to key groups, who may have missed their vaccines in the past:

• Children
• Young adults
• Health and care workers

Anyone born in Ireland from January 1978 onwards, who does not have evidence of two MMR vaccines, is eligible for a catch-up vaccination. Anyone born outside of Ireland that does not have evidence of two MMR vaccines at any age is also eligible to receive the MMR vaccine.

If you are planning a holiday outside Ireland, you can now get your baby vaccinated before you go. They must be between six and 11 months. They should then get their next dose as normal at 12 months and the final dose in junior infants.

MMR vaccines are available free of charge from GPs to all groups, but primarily to those under 18 years, and from HSE community clinics for eligible people.