Public urged to avail of free walk-in vaccine clinics in Limerick amid measles warning

HSE MID West is urging members of the public to avail of free walk-in MMR vaccine clinics in Limerick following an increase in measles cases in Ireland, UK, and Europe in recent weeks.

Measles is highly infectious and can be a serious infection. It causes a rash illness, with cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis and high fever.

Complications of measles include ear infections, pneumonia, febrile seizures and less commonly encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and even death.

A number of cases have been recently reported in Ireland, with two or more cases of measles classed as an outbreak.

A man in Leinster died earlier this year after contracting the infection, the first measles death in Ireland in over 20 years.

As part of the HSE’s national MMR vaccine campaign, over the coming days and weeks, there will be free vaccine clinics in Limerick and across the Mid-West, for both scheduled appointments or walk-ins.

The MMR vaccine is safe, and effective at preventing measles infection and serious illness.

Dr Siobhán Neville, consultant general paediatrician at University Hospital Limerick, and associate professsor of Paediatrics at UL, has encouraged parents and caregivers to double-check their children's vaccination status, and arrange catch-up if required.

"As cases have been so rare in recent years, it's easy to forget that measles can be an extremely serious illness, particularly for younger children and those who are immunocompromised. Vaccination is a safe and effective way to protect your child and those around them," she said.

The campaign focuses on delivering the MMR vaccine to key groups, who may have missed their vaccines in the past including children, young adults and healthcare workers.

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The best protection against measles is vaccination. Two doses of MMR vaccine are needed and if a child or adult is not fully protected then MMR vaccines can be obtained from your GP or a HSE Vaccination Clinic.

How to get your vaccine

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 everyone eligible who is aged 5 years and over.

A number of clinics will be held across Limerick over the coming weeks, for both scheduled and walk-in appointments.

These include:
* St. Brendan’s Health Centre, Rosbrien, March 26 and April 2, 2.30pm-4.30pm 
* Kings Island Primary Care, March 27, 3pm-5pm; 
* Great National South Court Hotel Limerick, March 28 and 29, 10am-4pm, and April 1 and 2, 10am-2pm
* Hospital Health Centre, April 4, 9.30am–12.30pm
* Ballynanty Health Centre, April 4, 2pm-4.30pm
* Southill Health Centre, April 5, 10am-1pm
* Castletroy Primary Care, April 5, 2.30pm-4.30pm 

A full list of Vaccination Clinics is available here. 

To book an appointment, visit hse.ie/mmr-vaccine/book-an-appointment.

Some walk-in appointments are also available.

Additionally, the HSE will also provide targeted clinics for specific groups including students and young people in education settings, underserved groups including refugees, applicants seeking protection and other minority groups.

Monitor for Symptoms

Stay vigilant for symptoms of measles. These include high fever, cough, runny nose and a characteristic red rash.

If you or a family member develop these symptoms, or have been in contact with someone with measles, stay at home and contact your doctor by phone for advice, and inform healthcare providers of any recent travel history.

If you think someone in your family has measles, phone your doctor immediately for advice. Keep the child or adult at home and refrain from visitors coming to your home unless they know they are protected against measles (they have had two doses of MMR vaccine).