Number of mumps cases rises ninefold

DESPITE a rise in the uptake of the vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), the number of mumps cases exceeded 1,300 at the end of 2008 — more than nine times the number reported in 2007.

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) said uptake of the initial dose of MMR was 87% nationally in 2007, up 1% on 2006.

Uptake of the vaccine in Health Service Executive (HSE) regions ranged from 84% to 94%, with just four reporting uptakes of more than 90%.