MMR vaccine clinics take place in Cavan Monaghan

The MMR vaccine is the only protection against measles.

The HSE is advising people across Cavan and Monaghan who have not availed of the MMR vaccine - which is the only protection against measles - to do so now.

A number of clinics will be held in the coming days to afford those wishing to get the vaccine the opportunity to do so.

Vaccinations will be administered at the Primary Care in Carrickmacross from 10am to 1pm on Tuesday, April 2; at the Primary Care in Killeshandra on Wednesday, April 3 from 10am to 1pm; and at the Cavan Monaghan HSE Community Vaccination Centre, St Davnet’s Campus, Monaghan on Saturday, April 6 from 10am to 1pm.

Sinead McConnell, Vaccination Lead, Community Healthcare Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan and Sligo said the MMR catch-up campaign aims to protect against measles due to a rise in cases of the virus in the UK and Europe. “Two doses of MMR vaccine are needed to be fully vaccinated - and if not fully protected - then MMR vaccines can be obtained from your GP or HSE Vaccination Clinic,” she added. “Measles is a highly infectious disease that can cause serious complications, particularly in children under one, pregnant women and the immunosuppressed.”

Meanwhile, this latest campaign by the HSE focuses on delivering the MMR vaccine to key groups that may have missed their vaccines in the past including children, young adults and health and care workers.

Those eligible include people born in Ireland from January 1, 1978 who do not have evidence of two MMR vaccines or those born outside of Ireland and do not have evidence of two MMR vaccines at any age.

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.