Free MMR Vaccine Clinic At Primary Care Centre, Mitchel Street, Thurles.

The HSE will host a free MMR vaccine clinic here in Thurles, at the Thurles Primary Care centre, situated on Mitchel Street (E41 R1X3) from 10:00am to 2:00pm on Saturday March 30th next, 2024.

**Thurles Medical Centre, Mitchel St., Thurles, Co. Tipperary,** *(Formerly Sweeney’s Bakery)*.
*Pic: G. Willoughby.*

The HSE is urging members of the public to avail of this free MMR vaccine clinic, following an increase in measles cases rising in Ireland, the United Kingdom and further across eastern Europe.

Remember the clinic is free and no appointment is deemed necessary. The MMR vaccine is safe, and effective at preventing measles infection and other serious illness, brought about by this infection.

Complications of measles can include pneumonia, ear infections, febrile seizures [Convulsions that can occur when a young child has a fever above 100.4°F (38°C)] and less commonly, encephalitis [inflammation of the brain] and even death.

The best protection against measles infection is vaccination. Two doses of MMR vaccine are required and please note that MMR vaccines can also be obtained from your local GP.

Dr Breda Cosgrove, (Consultant in Public Health Medicine at Public Health HSE), warns that measles are a highly contagious condition and can become quite serious,causing serious illness, especially in young children, leading to one in five people admitted into hospital.
Dr Cosgrove points out that we are currently seeing a rise in measles cases here in Ireland due to foreign travel, with large outbreaks occurring within the UK, Europe and further afield. Concerns are therefore raised that we may see measles cases occurring within the HSE’s Mid-West region, over the coming weeks and months, and why the HSE are now offering free MMR vaccines to anyone who may have missed out previously.

Dr Siobhán Neville (Consultant General Paediatrician at University Hospital Limerick, and Associate Professor of Paediatrics, University of Limerick,) has stated, “We are encouraging parents and caregivers to double-check their children’s vaccination status and arrange a ‘catch-up’ where necessary. As cases have been so rare in recent years, it’s easy to forget that measles can be an extremely serious illness, particularly for younger children and those who are immunocompromised. Vaccination is a safe and effective way to protect your child and those around them.”