Western Trust to host MMR vaccination catch-ups as Measles cases on the rise

With cases of Measles having risen dramatically across the United Kingdom and Europe, the Western Trust has launched a Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine catch-up campaign.

The campaign is specifically targeting children and young people up to the age of 25 who have not yet received both doses of the MMR vaccine, providing an opportunity to catch up on the jabs in order to help prevent the spread of contagious diseases.

In Northern Ireland, MMR vaccination is free with the first dose being offered when a child is one-year-old and the second when they are 3 years and 4-months-old. Receiving both doses provides long-lasting protection.

If you have not yet received both doses of the MMR vaccine, you will receive a letter inviting you to attend a vaccination clinic in the Western Trust area. Clinics will be taking place at the Trust’s three hospital sites at Altnagelvin, Omagh, and South West Acute Hospital.

Those aged between 12 months - 5 years will be asked to attend for vaccination by their GP.

School Nursing Teams will also be visiting Special Educational Needs schools to offer vaccinations. This approach ensures accessibility for young people within an educational setting.

The Western Trust will vaccinate all those between 6 and 25 years old who have received a letter.

Donna Keenan, Western Trust Interim Executive Director of Nursing, Midwifery & AHP Services, emphasised the importance of the programme and the need for everyone to ensure their MMR vaccinations are complete.

“This is a really important campaign as Measles is one of the world’s most contagious but very preventable diseases, which unfortunately has been on the rise across the UK and Europe.

“Vaccinations stop the spread of measles and give our communities the best possible protection available against this serious illness, and two doses of the MMR vaccine are needed to ensure the best protection against measles, mumps and rubella.

“We would encourage all parents and carers to check the vaccination status of their children and young people, and if there are gaps then we ask them to put plans in place to catch up as soon as possible.”

Western Trust clinics will take place every Saturday (10 am – 3 pm) from February 10^th up to and including March 30^th at the following venues:

Altnagelvin Hospital: Level 5, Tower Block

South West Acute Hospital: Key Worker Accommodation

Tyrone & Fermanagh Hospital Omagh: Old School Canteen

Walk-ins will be accepted at all clinics but appointments can be booked online at the following link – www.nidirect.gov.uk/mmr

The Western Trust’s telephone booking line is also available. Telephone 028 71610753 (Monday to Wednesday, 9.00am – 4.00pm) and 028 82835352 (Thursday – Friday, 9.00am – 4.00pm)  

A second dose will be offered four weeks after your first vaccine, if applicable, so if you require both doses please leave enough time to have your second jab before the end of March.

Please note children under the age of 16 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

For those aged 17 years and over, please bring photographic identification.

Full details of the Western Trust MMR vaccine programme are available here - bit.ly/WTMMR

More information on Measles, Mumps and Rubella, as well as the MMR vaccine, is available at www.nidirect.gov.uk/mmr