The HSE are hosting two free community MMR clinics in Tipperary

HSE Mid West is announcing a series of free community MMR clinics in response to rising cases of measles across in the Mid West and Ireland.

Tipperary clinics are at the Borrisokane Primary Care Centre on Wednesday, July 24, from 10am to 2pm and at the Thurles Primary Care Centre on Friday, August 2, 2024, from 11am to 3pm.

The clinics are part of a renewed awareness and engagement campaign over the coming months to ensure more people, aged 12 months and older are fully vaccinated and protected against this serious disease.

Due to ongoing widespread outbreaks across the UK and Europe, there is a greater risk of measles infection with international travel, particularly among babies aged under one, who have yet to get their first MMR dose.

This is why HSE Mid-West is appealing to parents travelling with young children to avail of the free MMR for babies, aged six months and older.

Public Health HSE Mid West is currently managing and investigating an outbreak of measles, involving 16 cases to date, the largest outbreak in the region since 2018. This follows widespread outbreaks across the UK and Europe in recent months.

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.

Acting Consultant in Public Health Medicine, Dr Kenneth Beatty,  said:

“This year, we have seen a significant rise in measles cases in the Mid West region, across Ireland and abroad. Measles is a highly infectious disease, which can be very serious. One in five children with measles ends up in hospital, while sadly, about 1 in every 1,000 cases of measles will die. The MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) Vaccine is a safe and effective method of protecting people from Measles infection. 

"HSE agencies in the Mid West are working closely together to promote and increase uptake of this important vaccine with the next HSE Community Clinic being held in the Great National South Court Hotel, Raheen, this Saturday, July 27, between 10am and 4pm.

"It is so important that people who have not received an MMR vaccine in the past take this opportunity to protect themselves and their families from measles.”

 Those eligible are those born in Ireland from January 1, 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 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.