Free Waterford measles vaccine catch-up clinic confirmed

A free HSE MMR vaccination clinic will be held in Waterford during the week as the HSE continues its campaign to protect the population from measles. 

The vaccination clinic will be held in Waterford Vaccination Centre, Old St. Martins School, Cherrymount, Waterford City, X91 EY73 on Wednesday March 27th from 12pm to 4pm. 

The HSE MMR catch-up campaign to protect against measles due to recent reports of a rise in measles cases in certain regions of the UK and other parts of Europe is continuing, as people are advised to be vigilant and take necessary steps to prevent the spread of the highly contagious virus.

Dr. Lucy Jessop, Director of the HSE National Immunisation Office, explained: “Measles is highly infectious and can be an acute and serious infection. It causes a rash illness, with cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis and high fever. Complications of measles include ear infections, pneumonia, febrile seizures and less commonly encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and even death.

“The only protection against measles is vaccination . Two doses of MMR vaccine are needed and if a child or young adult is not fully protected then MMR vaccines can be obtained from your GP or HSE Vaccination Clinic”.

 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.

How to get your vaccine:

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 for children age 5 years and older, healthcare workers, people born in Ireland on or after 1 January 1978, and people born outside of Ireland and at risk of measles infection.

A list of Vaccination Clinics is available here: https://www2.hse.ie/services/mmr-

As well as the clinic in Waterford, clinics will be taking place from March 25^th will be taking place across counties Carlow, Kilkenny, South Tipperary and Wexford.