NEXT week is the last chance for adults or children who have not been vaccinated against the measles to avail of the free walk-in vaccination clinics.
HSE Mid West is urging members of the public to avail of free walk-in MMR vaccine clinics in Limerick, Clare, and North Tipperary, following a further increase in measles cases in Ireland, UK, and Europe in recent weeks.
As part of the HSE’s national MMR vaccine campaign, there will be free vaccine clinics in Limerick, Clare, and North Tipperary. The HSE says walk-ins are accepted or appointments can be booked.
“We encourage people to attend clinics this week as there are no further MMR vaccine first dose clinics planned for April. People can continue to avail of free MMR catch-up vaccines from their GP, ” a spokesman said.
Measles is highly infectious and can cause 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 death.
Two doses of MMR vaccine are needed and if a child or adult is not fully protected then MMR vaccines can be obtained from a GP or HSE vaccination clinic.
MMR vaccines are available free of charge from GPs to children, young adults, and healthcare workers, but primarily to those under 18 years and from HSE community clinics for those eligible aged five years and over.
Clinics are being held across this week in Limerick at Barrack View Primary Care Centre, Limerick City; St Brendan’s Health Centre, Rosbrien; Ballynanty Health Centre, Ballynanty Beg; Kings Island Health Centre, Limerick City; and Croom Primary Care Centre, Skagh.
A full list of vaccination clinics, including times and dates is available on hse.ie/services/mmr-vaccine/vaccination-clinics.
