HSE rolls out measles MMR vaccine catch up programme

 Vaccines available from GPs and Vaccination Clinics

Earlier this month, I sought specific information from HSE officials about developing an awareness campaign against the threat posed by measles to children and young adults in particular.

This week, I was pleased to be provided with details of the HSE’s new MMR vaccine catch up programme. Given how highly infectious measles is and can be an acute and serious infection, the only protection against it is vaccination.

Two doses of MMR vaccine are needed and if a child or young adult is not fully protected then MMR vaccines can be obtained from your GP or HSE Vaccination Clinic, details of which are available here – https://www2.hse.ie/services/mmr-vaccine/vaccination-clinics/.

The campaign 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

Further information is detailed below. Please get in touch with a Health Professional or your GP if you have concerns or fears over your child’s health and are worried that they have contracted measles.

Information on who should get the MMR catch up vaccine and how to access it is available on www.hse.ie.

Children

The HSE is offering catch up MMR vaccine to children under 18 years of age who may have missed routine vaccination. This is being offered through GP services and parents should contact their GP to make an appointment for their child / children. 

The HSE routinely offers MMR vaccine to protect against measles to all children as part of its childhood immunisation schedule. MMR vaccine is offered to babies at 12 months of age. This vaccine is also available for free from GP practices. Children should get a second dose when they are in Junior Infants at 4-5 years of age. In most areas, this is given at school by the HSE’s school immunisation team for free. Two doses of MMR vaccine are required to give the best protection.

Young adults

HSE vaccination teams will offer free MMR to young adults through vaccine clinics at third level educational settings and through HSE community vaccine clinics.

A vaccine portal is available to book an appointment for MMR in community settings. This will be open to people aged 5 years and older (under 16s must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian). Some walk-in appointments will also be available.

Visit: https://www2.hse.ie/services/mmr-vaccine

Healthcare workers

MMR vaccine will be offered by HSE Occupational Health to HSE healthcare workers in the workplace. Other healthcare providers can make arrangements to vaccinate their staff or staff can attend their GP or HSE community vaccination clinics.

Underserved groups

Dedicated HSE vaccination teams are working with underserved communities. MMR vaccine is being provided through a range of HSE vaccination services, including directly in congregated migrant settings, working with other community groups in specific settings, and with services providing care to people who are homeless, and others.

People outside the target groups

Anyone born in Ireland after 1978, outside of the groups specified by the HSE, who may have missed an MMR vaccine is also advised to schedule a vaccination. Vaccination is available via HSE clinics and appointments can be booked through the online portal. https://www2.hse.ie/services/mmr-vaccine.

Vaccines may also be available through participating GPs.

About measles

Measles is a highly infectious disease that can cause serious complications, particularly in children under one year of age, pregnant women, and the immunosuppressed.

Signs and symptoms of measles

The symptoms of measles include: Cold-like symptoms such as aches and pains, a runny nose, sneezing and a cough – Sore red eyes that may be sensitive to light. A temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or above, which may reach around 40 degrees Celsius. Small greyish-white spots in your mouth – Loss of appetite – Tiredness, irritability and a general lack of energy. Rash, which usually appears on head and neck first and spreads to rest of body. Further information about measles symptoms is available at: https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/mmr-vaccine.

If you have these symptoms, please seek medical advice. Phone ahead prior to attending your GP, Emergency Department or other healthcare provider to inform the healthcare professionals that you have these symptoms, so they can make necessary arrangements. In addition, please alert medical staff if you have been in contact with someone who has measles or if you have recently travelled to an area where you know measles has been spreading.

Measles risk and vaccination

MMR vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and others from measles. Two doses of MMR vaccine are necessary to be considered fully vaccinated. The first dose is given by your GP when your child is 12 months of age. The second dose is given by school vaccination teams when your child is in junior infants. Parents are encouraged to check that their children’s vaccines are up-to-date. If your child has missed either or both of their MMR vaccines, please contact your GP practice to arrange a catch-up vaccine. Uptake of both doses of MMR vaccine has been below 90% for some time which is of great concern because of the serious and infectious nature of measles. We therefore urge all families to take up the offer of vaccine now for their children. It is not too late to be vaccinated.

Serious complications of measles include pneumonia and encephalitis (swelling of the brain); one in five infected may need to go to hospital and it can be fatal.

Measles outbreak in Europe

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has reported a resurgence of measles in England in 2023 particularly in the West Midlands and London, however all regions of England have reported cases. The latest information on the epidemiology of the current UKHSA national measles incident is available.

There are increases in cases of measles also reported in several other European countries including Romania, Cyprus and Austria.

People travelling to these countries should check that they are up to date with their MMR. Babies travelling to areas with outbreaks of measles may receive a dose of MMR vaccine from the age of six months, but they still require another MMR vaccine over the age of 12 months for continued protection.

Further information about vaccination is available at www.immunisation.ie.