Measles: HSE urges parents to ensure children get MMR jab amid surge in cases

A red rash is one of the characteristic symptoms of measles. However, health authorities urge parents not to wait until it strikes, and ensure their children are vaccinated now. Stock picture

A surge in measles cases in Europe and particularly Britain has led the HSE to issue a plea to parents to make sure their children's vaccines are up to date.

The main vaccine protects against measles, mumps, and rubella, known better as the MMR vaccine.

The HSE says the MMR uptake in Ireland is "suboptimal", and is falling short of the 95% target set by the World Health Organization (WHO), with uptake falling to below 90% since the beginning of the covid pandemic in early 2020.

Lucy Jessop, the director of the HSE's National Immunisation Office says measles 'can have severe consequences, particularly for babies and vulnerable groups'. File picture: Sasko Lazarov/Rolling News

They are urging parents to make sure children and young people are up to date with their MMR vaccine due to a rise in cases in parts of Britain and Europe. 

Measles can be unpleasant and is a potentially serious and highly infectious disease that can spread easily through respiratory droplets. 

Lucy Jessop, the director of the HSE's National Immunisation Office, said: "The importance of taking precautions to protect both the individual and the community from measles cannot be understated. 

While measles is preventable through vaccination, the virus spreads very quickly between people who are not vaccinated and can have severe consequences, particularly for babies and vulnerable groups.

Dr Jessop said vaccines are "vitally important" as they can help prevent other serious problems including meningitis, hearing loss and problems during pregnancy.

The HSE says vaccination is the "most effective way to prevent measles and protect against its complications. Two doses are recommended to be considered fully vaccinated."

The first MMR dose is given when a child is 12 months of age. 

The second dose is due when a child is in junior infants.

The HSE notes that it is especially important ahead of the mid-term break that anyone travelling to Britain must ensure they have the right number of MMR vaccines for their age.

Symptoms of measles include high fever, cough, runny nose, and a characteristic red rash.

If you or a family member develop these symptoms, or have been in contact with someone with measles, stay at home and contact your doctor by phone for advice, and inform healthcare providers of any recent travel history.