The HSE has warned that a measles outbreak “could happen in Ireland” as the MMR vaccine uptake falls drastically.
The HSE is urging parents to ensure their children are immunised before travelling this summer as the vaccine uptake is now below the level required for herd immunity.
Doctors are saying that the public understanding of the danger of measles needs to be improved.
The HSE’s Chief Medical Officer said over the weekend that she is “very worried about measles in our population”.
Professor Breda Smyth said: “There has been a significant increase in the number of measles cases this year in Europe in the first six months.
“If I was travelling to Europe with my children this year, it’s really important that my child would be protected against measles.”
The uptake for the first MMR dose, which is recommended for babies at 12 months, was at 89.2% in the first quarter of this year. This is 3% lower than before the pandemic.
The uptake of the second dose, which is given in Junior Infants, dropped by three points to 88%.
The HSE aims for 95% of people to be immunised from measles, which is also the target set by the World Health Organisation.
Last week it was warned by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) that London was at risk of a measles outbreak which could see tens of thousands of cases.
This is also due to low vaccination rates.
There have been 128 cases of measles within the first six months of the year in the UK, 54 more than in 2022 as a whole.
Two-thirds of these cases were in London as some areas have seen the vaccination rate fall as low as 69.5%.
The HSE has added: “There have been no confirmed cases of measles reported in Ireland to date in 2023. However, we have seen a rise in cases in London which could happen in Ireland.”
The also said that parents should now check that their children are up to date with their vaccinations before travelling this summer.
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