MMR Catch-up Vaccinations
There has been a recent rise in measles cases in the UK and Europe. MMR (measles, mumps, rubella vaccine) uptake has been sub-optimal in Ireland for some time—uptake is less than 90% and up to 18% of young adults are assessed as non- immune to measles. It is considered that 95% uptake is required in order to suppress the disease.
The risk of measles in Ireland is now classified as very high. Given the susceptibility of Ireland to measles, an extended MMR catch-up programme is now required.
The HSE is now implementing an extended MMR catch-up programme to offer MMR vaccine to unvaccinated or under-vaccinated individuals in prioritised groups.
Prioritised Groups
The immunisation campaign will offer MMR vaccine to unvaccinated or under-vaccinated individuals in prioritised groups.
The priority groups of the programme are:
Children over 1 year
Young people up to age 24 years
Health and care workers
Underserved populations such as Travellers, Roma, people who are homeless, Refugees and Applicants Seeking Protection and other vulnerable migrants, and those in custodial settings
GPs have been asked to first concentrate on children age 1-17 years who may never have had an MMR vaccine or those who may have missed out on dose 2 of their vaccine.
If your child missed either of their MMR vaccines please contact the surgery to make an appointment for vaccination as soon as possible.
Measles Further Information
There is lots of information available on the HSE and government websites about Measles
About Measles - this is the main site for HSE information on the measles
MMR Vaccine Further Information
MMR Vaccine Schedule:
Children/adults need 2 doses of MMR vaccine to provide long term immunity. The first is given by GP/Practice Nurse at 12 months of age, the second is usually given by HSE Schools’ vaccination team in school during Junior or Senior Infants (age 4-6 years approx), however this second vaccine can be given at any time (except pregnancy) if someone has missed out on their second vaccine.
Born before 1978?
People born before 1978 are considered to be immune to measles as it was a common childhood illness at that time, and as it is a highly contagious disease almost all people will have been exposed to it at some time. Therefore it is not considered that this cohort will require vaccination.