Carlow clinic offering free MMR catch up vaccines this Easter bank holiday weekend

A number of free Measles Mump and Rubella (MMR) Catch Up Vaccination Clinics will be open to members of the public this Easter Weekend and into next week across the South East.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) launched the MMR vaccine catch-up programme to address the increasing cases of measles and clinics are taking place in counties Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford, Wexford and South Tipperary.

Kate Cassidy (General Manager for Vaccinations in HSE/South East Community Healthcare) said:

“Measles poses significant health risks, especially to vulnerable groups such as children under 12 months, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems. Despite prior efforts, MMR vaccination rates remain below the recommended 95% set by the World Health Organisation.”

“Measles cases are rising internationally and already this year in Europe there have been more cases of measles reported than in the whole of 2022. In August 2023 the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) reported a small number of cases of measles in Ireland, the first outbreak since 2019.”

“We are asking anyone who may not have received their MMR to please come forward for their free vaccine at one of our dedicated Vaccination Clinics in counties Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford, Wexford and South Tipperary. We are also asking people to start having the discussions with their family members and friends, to encourage others to come forward too.”

The Carlow Clinic that is offering the vaccine is:  St. Dympna's Hospital, Athy Road, Carlow Town, R93 X7TV. And the dates for the vaccines are: Saturday 30th March, 10am to 3pm, Thursday 4th April, 10am to 3pm