Teenagers and young adults must get MMR jab as mumps exceeds 1000 cases in 2008 - HPSC
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre today (Tuesday) warned teenagers and young adults to make sure that they have had two doses of MMR vaccine following over 1000 cases of the disease in 2008.
1166 cases have been reported so far compared with 132 for the same period last year and MMR vaccination is the only way to tackle this increase, says HPSC specialist in public health medicine, Dr Suzanne Cotter.
"The huge rise in cases - nearly 60% of whom are between 15 and 24 years old - highlights once again the importance of getting vaccinated with two doses of MMR, which are needed to minimize the risk of infection. This is especially important for all teenagers and young adults, particularly students in schools and colleges following at least seven outbreaks in third level colleges this year.
"Anyone who has not had two doses of MMR needs to talk to their GP or student health service about getting protected. People who are not sure about their vaccination status should get another dose to be on the safe side. The vaccine is free although an administration fee may apply for non-medical card holders.
"Mumps is a contagious acute viral illness that causes fever, headache and painful swollen glands. Complications are usually mild but it can cause meningitis, deafness and inflammation of the testicles, ovaries or pancreas. Students need to be aware that the best way to avoid it is to get vaccinated. Anyone who has mumps should stay off for five days after the onset of swollen glands," added Dr Cotter.
Students need to get MMR jab following rise in mumps cases - HPSC
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre today (Wednesday) warned all students to make sure that they have had two doses of the MMR vaccine following an increase in the number of mumps cases reported in recent weeks.
Mumps has been on the increase since the beginning of 2008, particularly in the under 25 year age group. Students starting or returning to college shortly are particularly vulnerable following at least seven outbreaks in third level colleges this year, says HPSC specialist in public health medicine, Dr. Joan O'Donnell.
"New students who haven't been vaccinated or who haven't had mumps need to talk to their GP or student health service about getting protected. So far this year 459 cases have been reported, 22 of whom were admitted to hospital. Almost 60% of cases have been in 10 to 24 year olds.
"This follows 142 cases in 2007, well down on 1079 in 2005 which came after a nationwide outbreak that year. It appears that most of these cases caught mumps in third level colleges or secondary schools.
"MMR protects against measles, mumps and rubella and two doses are needed to protect against infection. Anyone who is not sure about their vaccination status needs to get another dose to be on the safe side. The vaccine is free although an administration fee may apply for non-medical card holders.
"Mumps is a contagious acute viral illness that causes fever, headache and painful swollen glands. Complications are usually mild but it can cause meningitis, deafness and inflammation of the testicles, ovaries or pancreas. Students need to be aware that the best way to avoid it is to get vaccinated. Anyone who has mumps should stay off for nine days after the onset of swollen glands," added Dr O'Donnell.
Students need to get MMR jab following mumps outbreaks in third level colleges - HPSC
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre today (Tuesday) warned students to make sure they have had two doses of the MMR vaccine following at least seven mumps outbreaks in third level colleges this year.
Mumps has been on the increase since the beginning of 2008, and students under 25, particularly new students, who haven't been vaccinated or who haven't had mumps need to talk to their GP or student health service about getting protected, says HPSC specialist in public health medicine, Dr Suzanne Cotter.
"153 mumps cases - mostly in the 15-24 age group - were reported to HPSC in the first 16 weeks of 2008, four of which were admitted to hospital. This follows 150 cases in 2007, well down on 1079 in 2005 which came after a nationwide outbreak that year. It appears that most of these cases caught mumps in third level colleges or secondary schools.
"MMR protects against measles, mumps and rubella and two doses are needed to protect against infection. Anyone who is not sure about their vaccination status needs to get another dose to be on the safe side. The vaccine is free, although an administration fee may apply for non medical card holders.
"Mumps is a contagious acute viral illness that causes fever, headache and painful swollen glands. Complications are usually mild but it can cause meningitis, deafness, and inflammation of the testicles, ovaries or pancreas. Students need to be aware that the best way to avoid it is to get vaccinated," added Dr Cotter.
Football fans warned about measles vaccination following major disease outbreaks in Euro 2008 host countries
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today (Wednesday) warned football fans planning to travel to this summer's Euro 2008 tournament to make sure that they have been vaccinated against measles, following major outbreaks of the disease in Austria and Switzerland, who are jointly hosting the competition.
While Ireland did not qualify for the tournament some fans may still travel and should be aware that measles is an extremely contagious and potentially fatal disease, says HPSC specialist in public health medicine, Dr Suzanne Cotter.
"These European outbreaks are a reminder of the importance of vaccination, especially for children, as it is the only safe and effective way to prevent measles from spreading. High levels of MMR vaccination are needed to protect against infection and to protect very young children - under 12 months of age - who are too young to be vaccinated.
"While measles usually occur in children under four years old, people of any age if not already protected through natural infection or vaccination, can catch the disease. Severe disease and complications are most likely in young children under five years and adults over 20 years. It is important to realise that almost half of the deaths associated with measles occur in previously healthy children and young adults.
“The European outbreaks are a timely reminder to get vaccinated. MMR uptake for Irish children at 24 months of age in Ireland currently stands at 88% - which although the highest level ever recorded here - is still short of the 95% needed to prevent the virus from circulating and causing outbreaks. MMR is usually given in childhood – the first dose at 12 -15 months and the second at 4 - 5 years of age. Both the MMR vaccine and the administration fee is free for all children. Most adults, particularly those born before 1978, are likely to have already had measles infection. However, any individual in this age group who has never had measles infection or the measles vaccine should speak with their GP about getting it prior to travel. For adults administration fees may apply,” she said.
New Report Rejects MMR Vaccine And Autism Link
The NDSC today welcomed a report from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) in the US which has rejected an association between autism and childhood immunisation with MMR. The Committee concluded that a consistent body of epidemiological evidence shows no association at the population level between MMR vaccine and autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
"This report supports the policy of leading health organisations world-wide such as the World Health Organisation which strongly recommend and endorse use of the MMR vaccine," said Dr Darina O'Flanagan, Director, NDSC. "We would urge all parents to bring their children forward to receive their vaccines in accordance with the immunisation schedule."
The report states that there has been no new scientific evidence that would suggest impaired safety of MMR. On the contrary, all results from vaccine trials published reaffirm the high safety and efficacy of MMR vaccine. The WHO noted that other scientists have not been able to reproduce the results claimed by Dr Wakefield and his team regarding measles virus in the gut.
The number of cases of measles in Ireland rose dramatically during 2000 with 1,602 cases reported. The measles virus can cause permanent brain damage and in some cases can prove fatal. Three children died from complications of measles in the 2000 outbreak.
The MMR vaccine, which is free, can prevent measles in over 90% of cases. This vaccine is given by a GP/ Family Doctor to all children aged 15 and a second dose is now given at primary school at age 5-6 years. With the second dose, over 99% of immunized children are protected from measles infection.
Complications associated with measles include severe cough and breathing difficulties (croup), ear infections, viral and bacterial lung infection (pneumonia) and eye infections. Other more serious problems involve the nervous system and inflammation of the brain. Severe disease and complications are most likely in young children under 5 years and adults over 20 years. While complications are more common in those who are malnourished or those whose immune system is not working properly, it is important to realise that almost half of the deaths associated with measles occur in previously healthy children and young adults.
1597 Reported Cases of Measles So Far This Year - 1248 of These Cases in Eastern Regional Health Authority. Measles epidemics occur because Irish Children are not being vaccinated. Protect Your Children Against This Virulent Life-Threatening Infection
The NDSC again strongly urges all parents and carers to have their children vaccinated against measles. The MMR vaccine, which is free, can prevent measles in over 90% of cases. This vaccine is given by your GP/ Family Doctor to all children aged 15 months (with the exception of children in Dublin who are given the vaccine at 12 months in the whole of the ERHA region because of the increased number of cases there) and a second dose is now given at primary school at age 5-6 years. With the second dose, over 99% of immunized children are protected from measles infection.
"So far (up to 23rd December 2000) the National Disease Surveillance Centre has received notification of 1597 cases of measles in comparison to only 148 cases in total in 1999. 1248 of these cases have been in the Eastern Regional Health Authority (formerly known as the Eastern Health Board). Present vaccination uptake levels against measles are as low as 73% to 75% in some parts of the country when they should be at least 95%. This is leaving Irish children vulnerable to epidemics" commented Dr Darina O'Flanagan, Director of the NDSC.
Measles is an acute infection which usually occurs in children age 1-4 years of age who have not yet been vaccinated against it but it can also occur at any age. Measles is caught through direct contact with an infected person or through the air by coughing and sneezing. It is highly infectious before the rash appears.
Complications associated with measles include severe cough and breathing difficulties (croup), ear infections, viral and bacterial lung infection (pneumonia) and eye infections. Other more serious problems involve the nervous system and inflammation of the brain. Severe disease and complications are most likely in young children under 5 years and adults over 20 years. While complications are more common in those who are malnourished or those whose immune system is not working properly, it is important to realise that almost half of the deaths associated with measles occur in previously healthy children and young adults.
Editors Notes:
The Royal College of Physicians has recently changed the age of the second dose of MMR to 5-6 years. Previously children received the second dose at 11-12 years. The change in the timing of the second dose is intended to provide protection for the 5-10% of children who do not respond to the first dose.
MMR Uptake by Health Board at 2 years of age in 2000*
Health Board MMR % Uptake
Eastern 74%
Midland 73%
Mid-Western 73%
North Eastern 80%
North Western 73%
South Eastern 87%
Southern 74%
Western 82%
*(based on Quarter 1 & 2 only)
930 Reported Cases of Measles So Far This Year
NDSC Warns of Measles Epidemic: Protect Irish Children Against This Virulent Life-Threatening Infection
In welcoming the launch of the Department of Health and Children Public Education Vaccination Campaign, which will initially concentrate on measles, the NDSC again strongly urges all parents and carers to have their children vaccinated against measles. The MMR vaccine, which is free, can prevent measles in over 90% of cases. This vaccine is given by the GP to children aged 15 months and a second dose is now given at primary school at age 5-6 years. With the second dose over 99% of immunized children are protected from measles infection.
"So far (up to 10th June 2000) the Department of Health and Children has received notification of 930 cases of measles in comparison to only 148 cases in total in 1999 - 769 cases have been in the Eastern Health Board. Present vaccination uptake level against measles are as low as 70% to 75% in some parts of the country when they should be at least 95%. This is leaving Irish Children vulnerable to epidemics such as that which is occurring in the Eastern Health Board" commented Dr Darina O'Flanagan, Director of the NDSC.
Measles is an acute infection which usually occurs in children age 1-4 years of age who have not yet been vaccinated against it but it can also occur at any age. Measles is caught through direct contact with an infected person or through the air by coughing and sneezing. It is highly infectious before the rash appears.
Complications associated with measles include severe cough and breathing difficulties (croup), ear infections, viral and bacterial lung infection (pneumonia) and eye infections. Other more serious problems involve the nervous system and inflammation of the brain. Severe disease and complications are most likely in young children under 5 years and adults over 20 years. While complications are more common in those who are malnourished or those whose immune system is not working properly, it is important to realise that almost half of the deaths associated with measles occur in previously healthy children and young adults.
Editors Notes: The Royal College of Physicians has recently changed the age of the second dose of MMR to 5-6 years. Previously children received the second dose at 11-12 years. The change in the timing of the second dose is intended to provide protection for the 5-10% of children who do not respond to the first dose.
MMR Uptake by Health Board
Health Board
MMR % Uptake
Eastern
76%
Midland
68%
Mid-Western
73%
North Eastern
77%
North Western
80%
South Eastern
86%
Southern
75%
Western
78%
Notification of Measles by Health Board ~ 2000
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
June
To Date
EHB
18
74
198
308
163
8
769
MHB
0
0
0
8
13
3
24
MWHB
2
1
1
1
3
1
9
NEHB
0
2
10
6
1
0
19
NWHB
0
0
3
2
2
1
8
SEHB
0
0
2
5
18
13
38
SHB
0
0
22
24
3
0
49
WHB
1
2
3
3
3
2
14
ROI
21
79
239
357
206
28
930
Notification of Measles in Republic of Ireland (1982 - 2000)
Year
Number
82
1897
83
6180
84
5725
85
9903
86
451
87
201
88
936
89
1248
90
556
91
135
92
179
93
4328
94
1233
95
235
96
228
97
185
98
204
99
148
2000*
930
* 1/1/2000- 10/06/2000
National Disease Surveillance Centre Warns Parents to Ignore Unfounded Vaccine Scare and Get the MMR Vaccine for their Children. Irish Children Should Not Die of Vaccine Preventable Illness
The National Disease Surveillance Centre (NDSC) is alarmed at the recent media reports and subsequent public interest in a theory, which suggest that the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine in general may be linked to autism. The NDSC holds the belief that the current scientific evidence, which states that since 1988 more than 250 million doses of the MMR vaccine have been given to children with no sudden change in the incidence of autism, does not support this theory.
A recently published study in The Lancet by Dr Brent Taylor(1) provides the best population-based evidence regarding MMR vaccination and autism. The authors identified all 498 known cases of autism related disorders living in certain parts of London and who were born in 1979 or later and correlated the cases to an independent vaccination registry. The results showed:
Despite an increase in the number of diagnosed cases since 1979, no jump occurred after the introduction of the vaccine in 1988
Children who were vaccinated before 18 months of age were diagnosed with autism at ages similar to children who were vaccinated after 18 months of age, indicating that the vaccination did not result in an earlier presentation of characteristics associated with autism
At age two the MMR vaccination coverage among children with autism was nearly identical to vaccination coverage of children in the same birth cohorts in the same London districts indicating lack of overall association between autism and the vaccination
In general the first diagnosis of autism or initial signs of behavioral regression were not more likely to occur within time periods following MMR vaccination that during other time periods.
The media reports on the alleged link between the MMR vaccine and the development of autism relate to studies conducted by Dr Andrew Wakefield, Senior Lecturer in Paediatric Gastroenterology of the Royal Free Hospital in the UK in conjunction with Professor John O’Leary, Director of Pathology of the Coombe Women’s Hospital in 1998(2).
“The second Wakefield study has not yet been published. It is for this reason that we should not be rushing to conclusions about its’ validity. When it is published it will be examined in light of the many other studies on autism and MMR. The findings must then be set in context. Other researchers will then try and replicate the study to see if the findings hold true†said Dr Darina O’Flanagan, Director of the National Disease Surveillance Centre.
“It would be a disaster if children were to die of vaccine-preventable disease over this unfounded vaccine scare. We join in one voice with the Department of Health, the Irish Medicines Board and the Royal College of Physicians to refute the allegations made about the link between the MMR vaccine and the development of autism. Children have a right to expect to be fully immunized and parents and health authorities have a responsibility to see that that right become a reality†added Dr O’Flanagan.
National Disease Surveillance Centre Warns of Outbreak of Measles in the Eastern Health Board and Strongly Advises Parents To Get Their Children Vaccinated
The National Disease Surveillance Centre (NDSC) has been advised of an outbreak of measles in Dublin. Since January 2000 over 40 cases of measles have been notified to the Eastern Health Board. Over 17 children have been hospitalised, with 3 children needing intensive care.
Measles is an acute infection which usually occurs in children aged 1-4 years of age who have not yet been vaccinated against it but it can also occur at any age. Measles is caught through direct contact with an infected person or through the air by coughing and sneezing. It is highly infectious before the rash appears.
Complications associated with measles include severe cough and breathing difficulties (croup), ear infections, viral and bacterials lung infections (pneumonia) and eye infections. Other more serious problems involve the nervous system and inflammation of the brain. Severe disease and complications are most likely in infants under twelve months, those who have weakened immune systems and those who are malnourished.
The National Disease Surveillance strongly urges all parents and carers to have their children vaccinated against measles. The MMR vaccine which is free, can prevent measles in over 90% of cases. This vaccine is given by the GP to children at 12-15 months of age and a second dose is given in primary school at age 11-12 years.
The current reported uptake of the MMR vaccine in Ireland is well below that required to prevent outbreaks of measles and spread throughout the community.
All children need to be protected against measles. Without protection, there is a very real chance that more children may become infected and suffer serious consequences.
Symptoms Associated with Measles
The first symptoms of measles develop 9-11 days after becoming infected and last up to 14 days from the first signs to the end of the rash
The first stage of measles includes irritability, a runny nose, conjunctivitis (red eyes) a hacking cough and an increasing fever that comes and goes
These symptoms may last up to 8 days
The measles rash (which consists of flat red or brown blotches) starts from day 4 and can last between four to seven days
The measles rash usually starts on the forehead and spreads downwards over the face, neck and body
There can also be associated diarrhoea, vomiting and abdominal pain
