Sixth case of measles confirmed in Ireland 

The HSE has put in place plans for the broader rollout of a proactive MMR vaccine catch-up programme.

A sixth case of measles has been confirmed in Ireland.

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) confirmed the case in its Infectious Disease Weekly Report.

Five other cases have been reported in recent weeks.

A HPSC statement read: "As of 5pm March 20, HPSC have been notified of six confirmed cases of measles in 2024."

The HSE has put in place plans for the broader rollout of a proactive MMR vaccine catch-up programme in response to a rise in measles cases in Britain and Europe.

It already offers MMR vaccines to children aged 12 months and four- to five-years-old.

There is also a free catch-up MMR option via participating GPs for those who may have missed their vaccination when younger.

A HSE spokesperson previously explained that the programme would prioritise three groups as uptake rates are currently lower in those groups:

• Children and young adults;
• Healthcare workers;
• And underserved groups such as refugees, applicants seeking protection and the homeless community.

Current public health advice indicates people born in Ireland before 1978 are likely to have been exposed to measles as children and, therefore, unlikely to require MMR vaccine.