Measles: Over 300,000 to be offered catch-up vaccine

Over 300,000 people are to be offered a measles catch-up vaccine.

The catch-up vaccine will be offered because of the threat measles continues to pose for the public’s health.

So far this year, there has been one confirmed case of measles, which led to the death of a man in February.

It is expected that the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, will bring the new vaccination plan, of €4.6 million, to a meeting of the Cabinet tomorrow.

Measles is a highly infectious viral illness, which starts with cold-like symptoms and can take about 10 days to develop after you get infected - then, measles appear in the form of a rash a couple of days later.

According to the HSE, the illness usually lasts from 7 to 10 days.

The catch-up vaccination programme will involve an intensive campaign over 12 to 13 weeks, delivering vaccination to a range of groups.

The next priority group would be those aged from 25 to 34 years, then, vaccinations will be offered to those born after 1978.

You can find more information here.