MMR Vaccine is the only protection against measles

3 April 2024

HSE Media Release

Community Healthcare Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan, Sligo

The HSE has advised that the MMR Vaccine is the only protection against measles.

Two doses of MMR Vaccine in your lifetime are needed to give full protection.

The HSE MMR vaccine catch up programme is now running in community vaccination clinics across Cavan and Monaghan.

Measles is a highly infectious disease that can cause serious complications, particularly in children under one year of age, pregnant women, and the immunosuppressed.

The MMR catch-up campaign aims to protect against measles due to a rise in cases of the disease in the UK and Europe.

The campaign focuses on delivering the MMR vaccine to key groups, who may have missed their vaccines in the past:

• Children
• Young adults
• Health and Care workers

Those eligible are those born in Ireland from January 1 1978 and do not have evidence of two MMR vaccines or if 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.

A list of Vaccination Clinics is available here: MMR vaccination clinics

All clinics are walk-in or you can book an appointment by visiting: Book an MMR vaccine appointment

Additionally, the HSE will also provide targeted clinics for specific groups including students and young people in education settings and underserved groups .

Further information about measles symptoms is available at: MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine

If you have these symptoms, please seek medical advice. Phone ahead prior to attending your GP, Emergency Department or other healthcare provider to inform the healthcare professionals that you have these symptoms, so they can make necessary arrangements. In addition, please alert medical staff if you have been in contact with someone who has measles or if you have recently travelled to an area where you know measles has been spreading.

Sinead McConnell, Vaccination Lead, Community Healthcare Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan, 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.”

Clinics in Cavan Monaghan will take place at the below times and dates:

• Saturday 6 April - St. Davnet's CVC, Monaghan, Co. Monaghan H18 ED80 - 10am to 1pm
• Monday 8 April - St. Davnet's CVC, Monaghan, Co. Monaghan H18 ED80 - 4pm to 7pm
• Tuesday 9 April - Primary Care, Clones, Co. Monaghan H23 VK60 - 10am to 1pm
• Wednesday 10 April - Primary Care, Virginia, Co. Cavan A82 AH29 - 10am to 1pm
• Saturday 13 April - Primary Care, Drumalee, Co. Cavan H12 NV22 - 10am to 1pm