Parents must listen to HSE over measles vaccination

WE can accuse the HSE of many shortcomings when it comes to children’s health. But we can’t blame it for the current outbreak of measles, or the fact that in Dublin city centre, 13 cases of the potentially devastating disease were reported last month.

For all the health service’s lack of funds and internal mayhem, it still offers a free and comprehensive vaccination schedule to all children, arming them against the worst childhood diseases.

All parents have to do is sign on the dotted line, but increasingly they are resisting, with so-called anti-vaxxers whipping up fears and playing into the current wholesale distrust of experts and facts.

In the end though perhaps it’s not medical opinion, but the creaking HSE, that might have the most influence on fearful parents.

This could be the first time in its history that the HSE’s problems could be an advantage to public health. For what more compelling argument for vaccination is there, than that a health service which is creaking at the seams still faithfully delivers a programme despite severe cash flow and organisational difficulties?

Put it this way, if the HSE wasn’t certain that childhood vaccines are essential, we wouldn’t have them.

➤➤ After his alcohol-drenched fling with a Playboy model, shattered Ben Affleck, pictured, was driven to rehab by his exwife Jennifer Garner, where he will reportedly enjoy a lengthy therapeutic stay. Revenge is a dish best served cold, and by staging her intervention in broad daylight and in full view of the waiting paparazzi, rather than as a clandestine operation at night, the long-suffering Garner has certainly had hers.