HSE MMR Vaccine Catch Up Programme in Louth and Meath

The HSE MMR vaccine catch up programme is now running in community vaccination clinics in Louth and Meath.

The MMR vaccine is a safe and effective combined vaccine. It protects against 3 serious conditions caused by viruses:

• measles
• mumps
• rubella (german measles)

These conditions are very infectious. They can easily spread between unvaccinated people and lead to serious problems. For example, meningitis, hearing loss and problems during pregnancy.

Two doses of the MMR vaccine provide the best 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 MMR catch-up campaign aims to protect against measles due to a rise in cases of the disease in the UK and Europe.

The campaign focuses on delivering the MMR vaccine to key groups, who may have missed their vaccines in the past:

• Children age 1 year and older
• Health and Care workers
• People born in Ireland on or after 1 January 1978
• People born outside of Ireland and at risk of measles infection

Those eligible are those born in Ireland from 1 January 1978 and do not have evidence of two MMR vaccines or if born outside of Ireland and do not have evidence of two MMR vaccines at any age.

If you are planning a holiday outside Ireland, you can now get your baby vaccinated before you go. They must be between 6 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.

A list of Vaccination Clinics is available here: https://www2.hse.ie/services/mmr-vaccine/vaccination-clinics.

All clinics are walk-in or you can book an appointment by visiting: https://www2.hse.ie/services/mmr-vaccine/book-an-appointment.

Additionally, the HSE will also provide targeted clinics for specific groups including students and young people in education settings and underserved groups.

Further information about measles symptoms is available at: https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/measles/.

If you have these symptoms, please seek medical advice. Phone ahead before 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.

Clinics in Louth and Meath will take place at the below times and dates: