‘Public can’t act rashly...’

DRIVE TO GET MEASLES VACCINE

THE public is urged to check with the HSE office if they are vaccinated against measles while health chiefs launched a campaign targeting 20 per cent of the unvaccinated population.

Doctors have told people who are unsure if they have already been vaccinated to get vaccinated anyway.

The new push comes amid warnings from the HSE that current immunity levels are not enough to stop measles outbreaks across the country.

There have been five confirmed cases in Ireland, including the death of a man last month in Westmeath.

Shots

The World Health Organisation warned that vaccinating children who missed their measles shots during the Covid-19 pandemic is critical.

One WHO official has warned that health professionals are in a “race” against the disease.

Meanwhile, Dr Lois O’Connor yesterday urged people to contact their local HSE office to make sure that they are vaccinated.

She said parents with children under the age of 18 can make vaccine appointments with their GPs, while people can also attend new HSE vaccination clinics by making appointments online.

Dr O’Connor revealed on RTE radio that those who are

Options

“We would recommend that if you are unsure, and can’t find out your vaccination status, to go for a vaccine again.”

Health advice is that the majority of people who are born in Ireland before 1978 are immune to the disease.

Dr O’Connor said: “There are two options to get vaccinated. For children under 18, people can consult with their GP and make an appointment.

“Other groups can go to new HSE vaccination clinics.”

She added: “Measles is normally a childhood infectious disease and the at-risk who we are targeting are those who have not been vaccinated.”

OUTBREAK: Signs of the disease unsure of their vaccination status can find help. She explained: “Contact the local HSE office. They have a register of those who have been vaccinated. Your GP will also know. If you are unsure, there isn’t any harm in getting another MMR vaccine.