The HSE Cork Kerry Community Healthcare is offering people the opportunity to get their MMR vaccination at a free walk-in clinic in Kerry.
It the only protection against measles and two doses are in a lifetime to provide 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.
Measles cases are on the rise in Kerry and health chiefs have warned that it is a highly infectious disease that can cause serious complications for all ages.
Dr Anne Sheahan, Area Director of Public Health for Cork and Kerry said as part of summer holiday preparations, families should ensure they are up-to-date with vaccines.
“If you are travelling outside of Ireland with your family, make sure your baby is vaccinated before you go. Measles is a highly contagious viral infection which can cause serious illness and in severe cases, it can lead to complications such as pneumonia and brain swelling, which can be life-threatening or cause life-long disabilities,” she said.
The vaccine catch-up programme is now running at the community vaccination clinic in Kerry and it aims to protect against measles due to a rise in cases of the disease.
The catch-up campaign focuses on delivering the vaccine to key groups who may have missed their vaccines in the past,including children, young adults, health and care workers and those born outside of Ireland, who do not have evidence of two MMR vaccines at any age. Anyone born in Ireland after January 1st 1978, who may have missed an MMR vaccine, is also advised to schedule a vaccination.
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.
The Vaccination Operational Base is based in HSE Services Building, Unit 3, Borg Commercial Park, Monavalley Industrial Estate, Tralee (V92 V30E) and it will be open on Wednesday, July 17 from 10.00am to 1.00pm.
A list of Vaccination Clinics for walk-in and appointments is available here: https://www2.hse.ie/services/mmr-vaccine/vaccination-clinics.
KillarneyToday.com: Read by thousands of people every day: To advertise call 064-6631281 or 087-2229761
