Parents urged to vaccinate babies against serious illnesses such as measles and whooping cough

GP practice nurse Niamh Gaffney and baby Gracie Kenny launching European Immunisation Week. So far this year the HSE has recorded 16 cases of measles and 48 cases of whooping cough in Ireland, both unusually high numbers. Picture: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland

HSE public health consultants have urged parents to have their babies vaccinated against serious illnesses and not succumb to vaccine fatigue.

There have been 16 cases of measles this year and 48 cases of whooping cough, unusually high numbers for Ireland.

The HSE has also seen declining uptake of childhood vaccines against mumps, rubella, polio, meningitis, and diphtheria.

“As a result, we are seeing a re-emergence of some of these diseases,” the HSE said in a statement.

Chantal Migone, consultant in public health medicine at the National Immunisation Office (NIO), warned that children can suffer life-long complications from preventable infections.

HSE National Immunisation Office consultant in public health medicine Chantal Migone. Picture: Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland

Dr Migone said: “Babies are especially vulnerable to these serious infections, and that’s why it’s important to vaccinate them on time when they need it most.” 

While the majority of babies are still vaccinated, there has been a notable decline in the overall vaccination rate.

“I think covid had such an impact on all our lives, people were at home and maybe worried about bringing a baby to the doctor,” said Dr Migone.

“There might be some vaccine fatigue and people might be fed up hearing about vaccines.

What we want to highlight is that the vaccines to protect your baby remain as important as they ever were. 

Anthony Fauci, a leading American public health doctor, speaking in Dublin this week said disinformation around covid-19 vaccines is “spilling over” into hesitancy around measles vaccines.

Dr Migone said: “We do monitor misinformation, and we would develop information ourselves that is accurate for parents.

“In fact, it’s a good thing to have questions about vaccines, but ask your GP, your nurse or a pharmacist and get the information from them.”

Marking European Immunisation Week the HSE also urged pregnant women to get the whooping cough vaccine.

Lucy Jessop, consultant in public health medicine and director of the NIO asked parents to check their children’s vaccinations.

“By getting your baby vaccinated on time you are giving them the best protection against diseases like meningitis, measles, and polio,” said Dr Jessop.