HSE warns parents over ‘re-emerging’ serious disease due to rise in whooping cough

The HSE has launched a campaign highlighting the importance of immunisation in protecting babies and children due to the rise in serious diseases nationwide.

Diseases such as measles and whooping cough are re-emerging in Ireland. Since 2020, the uptake of primary childhood immunisation has declined across all vaccines, including whooping cough, measles, mumps and rubella, polio, meningitis and diphtheria and as a result we are seeing a re-emergence of some of these diseases.

HPSC figures report 48 pertussis or whooping cough cases and 16 laboratory-confirmed measles cases in Ireland this year.

Dr Lucy Jessop, Consultant in Public Health Medicine and Director of the National Immunisation Office, HSE, said, “We are appealing to parents to check their children’s vaccination status and book appointments if their children have missed any immunisations.

“By getting your baby vaccinated on time you are giving them the best protection against diseases like meningitis, measles and polio. Five GP visits, at two, four, six, 12 and 13 months, will complete your baby’s vaccination schedule, ensuring your baby has important protection from these potentially serious vaccine-preventable diseases.”

Dr Chantal Migone, a Consultant in Public Health Medicine at the National Immunisation Office, explains that babies are especially vulnerable to these serious infections and recommends that the vaccination be delivered on time.

He added: “If you have an older child in junior infants or first year of secondary school and you’re not sure if they have received their school vaccines, you can also contact the HSE School Immunisation team, who will check your child’s record and advise you about the vaccines your child may have missed.”

Pregnant women are also encouraged to get the pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine at 16-36 weeks of pregnancy. The vaccine is available for free from participating GP practices.