HSE to hold MMR vaccine catch up clinics in north Tipperary

The HSE is hosting free walk-in MMR vaccine clinics in Thurles and Nenagh. 

The Nenagh clinic will be at the Derg Health Care Centre (E45 P957) on April 5, 2024, between 2pm and 4:30pm. 

The Thurles clinic will be at the Thurles Primary Care (E41 R1X3) from 10am to 2pm on March 30, 2024.

HSE Mid West is urging members of the public to avail of free walk-in MMR vaccine clinics following an increase in measles cases in Ireland, UK, and Europe. 

The clinics are free and no appointment is necessary. 

The HSE say the MMR vaccine is safe, and effective at preventing measles infection and serious illness.

Measles is highly infectious and can be a serious infection. 

It causes a rash illness, with cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis and high fever. Complications of measles include ear infections, pneumonia, febrile seizures and less commonly encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and even death.

The best protection against measles is vaccination. Two doses of MMR vaccine are needed and if a child or adult is not fully protected then MMR vaccines can be obtained from your GP or a HSE Vaccination Clinic.

Children, young adults and healthcare workers who may have missed the vaccines in the past are asked to avail of it now. 

Dr Breda Cosgrove, Consultant in Public Health Medicine at Public Health HSE Mid West,said measles is a highly contagious condition and can become quite serious. 

"It can cause serious illness, especially in young children, and about 1 in 5 people who get measles will be admitted to hospital.

 “We are seeing a rise in measles cases in Ireland, and there are large outbreaks in the UK, Europe and further afield so we’re concerned that we may see measles cases in the Mid-West region in the coming weeks and months. That’s why we are offering free MMR vaccines to anyone who has missed out so they can catch up and make sure they are immune to measles.”

Dr Siobhán Neville, Consultant General Paediatrician at University Hospital Limerick, and Associate Professor of Paediatrics, University of Limerick, said:  

"We are encouraging parents and caregivers to double-check their children's vaccination status and arrange catch-up if required. As cases have been so rare in recent years, it's easy to forget that measles can be an extremely serious illness, particularly for younger children and those who are immunocompromised. Vaccination is a safe and effective way to protect your child and those around them." 

Dr Patrick O’Donnell, GP with HSE Social Inclusion CHO3 & Associate Professor of General Practice at the University of Limerick: 

“The MMR vaccine is free, safe and very effective at preventing infection with measles and the possibility of very serious illness as a result. This can include pneumonia, seizures and brain inflammation or death. The virus is very easy to transmit, so the best defence is to protect yourself and your kids with the vaccine.”

The HSE say the following symptoms are signs of measles:

• high fever
• cough
• runny nose
• characteristic red rash.

If you or a family member develop these symptoms or have been in contact with someone with measles, stay at home and contact your doctor by phone for advice, and inform healthcare providers of any recent travel history.

If you think someone in your family has measles, phone your doctor immediately for advice. Keep the child or adult at home and refrain from visitors coming to your home unless they know they are protected against measles (they have had two doses of MMR vaccine).