The first of two MMR catch-up vaccination clinics planned for Cavan and Monaghan is happening tomorrow. The clinics follow an outbreak of measles in Cavan General Hospital recently and a general spike in cases across the UK and Europe. The first of the two clinics in the Northern Sound region takes place tomorrow in Ballinagh Health Clinic, Cavan between 3 and 5pm. A clinic is planned for Monaghan on August, 13th.
The HSE advise that the MMR vaccine is the only protection against measles, which, is more contagious than the 'flu and Covid. Two doses of MMR Vaccine in your lifetime are needed to give full protection. Those eligible are people born from 1978 onwards and don't have evidence of two MMR vaccines.
Northern Sound GP, Dr Illona Duffy, says the MMR is one of the safest vaccines: "You can also have your catch-up vaccine with your GP," Dr Illona explained, "And, what do we mean by catch-up vaccine programme? Really, these are clinics for people who have not had the full vaccine programme for MMR and MMR is measles, mumps and rubella. There was period during Covid when people missed having their child vaccinated or some years ago when there was false concerns about the MMR vaccine and I suppose, it's important to to reassure everyone the MMR vaccine is a safe vaccine."
