Public Health Mid-West

24/07/2024

𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗠𝗠𝗥 𝘃𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁 𝗛𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗹

HSE Mid West is announcing a series of free community MMR clinics, in response to rising cases of measles across in the Mid West and Ireland.

This is part of a renewed awareness and engagement campaign over the coming months to ensure more people, aged 12 months and older, are fully vaccinated and protected against this serious disease.

The HSE will be doing a number of education sessions at healthcare facilities and public places (including shopping centres) to promote the MMR vaccine, educate on measles, and promote our free clinics.

A free walk-in and scheduled MMR clinic will take place at Great National South Court Hotel, Raheen, this Saturday, July 27 between 10am and 4pm.

HSE Mid West will have a free walk-in MMR clinic at the former Ulster Bank unit, at the Crescent Shopping Centre, Dooradoyle, tomorrow (July 25) between 12pm and 7pm. During this time, we will host an information session at the shopping centre where our immunisation team are on standby to speak with the public and to answer any questions in relation to the MMR vaccine and measles.

This is a convenient and accessible clinic for those living and working in Limerick City and suburbs, with access to car parking and frequent public transport. No appointment is required.

Due to ongoing widespread outbreaks across the UK and Europe, there is a greater risk of measles infection with international travel, particularly among babies aged under one, who have yet to get their first MMR dose. This is why we are appealing to parents travelling with young children to avail of the free MMR for babies, aged six months and older.

Public Health HSE Mid West is currently managing and investigating an outbreak of measles, involving 16 cases to date, the largest outbreak in the region since 2018. This follows widespread outbreaks across the UK and Europe in recent months.

The MMR vaccine is the only protection against measles. Two doses of MMR Vaccine in your lifetime are needed to give full protection.

Measles is a highly infectious disease that can cause serious complications, particularly in children under one year of age, pregnant women, and the immunosuppressed.

The campaign focuses on delivering the MMR vaccine to key groups, who may have missed their vaccines in the past:
• Children
• Young adults
• Health and Care workers.

Those eligible are those born in Ireland from January 1st, 1978 and do not have evidence of two MMR vaccines or if born outside of Ireland and do not have evidence of two MMR vaccines at any age.

If you are planning a holiday outside Ireland, you can now get your baby vaccinated before you go. They must be between 6 and 11 months. They should then get their next dose as normal at 12 months and the final dose in junior infants.

MMR vaccines are available free of charge from GPs to all groups, but primarily to those under 18 years, and from HSE community clinics for eligible people

26/04/2024

A Mid West medical consultant has urged parents to give their child the best chance possible by availing of vaccines that can prevent damaging and even life-threatening illnesses.

Dr Geraldine Casey, consultant in public health medicine at Public Health HSE Mid West, said that “vaccination is one of the most important things parents can do to protect their child’s health. By vaccinating your child, you are protecting them against serious and life-threatening diseases such as measles, meningitis and whooping cough.”

Further information is available on mychild.ie and immunisation.ie.

A MID West medical consultant has urged parents to give their child the best chance possible by availing of vaccines to prevent illnesses.

21/12/2023

𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗶𝗱-𝗪𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻🚨

Public Health HSE Mid-West is concerned about widely circulating influenza (flu), COVID-19 and RSV, and its potential negative impact on healthcare services over the Christmas period.

According to the latest data*, in the Mid-West, flu cases have more than doubled in the past week, COVID-19 incidence has increased, and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) continues to circulate widely in the community, particularly among children aged under 5.

For the first time this season, weekly RSV incidence has decreased slightly. However, it is likely that RSV will continue to remain at high levels, while flu will circulate substantially over the coming weeks.

Due to the social nature of Christmas holidays, we are concerned about further household and community outbreaks of respiratory infections. We have been notified of outbreaks in healthcare settings and are managing multiple outbreaks of acute respiratory illnesses in long-term care facilities in the Mid-West.

As we enter the Christmas period and look forward to families spending time together - young and old, there are a few simple things we can do to protect ourselves and those who are most vulnerable.

• It is not too late to get your COVID 19 or flu vaccine, to protect yourself and others. Contact your GP or pharmacy to arrange to get your vaccine. For children it’s also important to keep up to date with all the childhood vaccinations, as these protect from serious viral and bacterial infections. For more information on how you can get your flu and COVID 19 vaccine go to www.hse.ie

• Children aged 2-17 can get the nasal spray flu vaccine for free at walk-in clinics in Limerick, Clare, and North Tipperary on December 27, 28, and 29. For more information, visit here.

• Older adults or those with a weak immune system should try to reduce their contact with anyone suffering from respiratory symptoms, or may prefer to stay away from crowded indoor places while levels of respiratory illness remain high in the community. That is fine; and people should feel comfortable making decisions based on their own circumstances.

• It’s really important that we do all we can to try to prevent the spread of respiratory illness in health care settings like hospitals, including maternity units, nursing homes or residential care facilities. This means avoiding visiting these places if we have respiratory symptoms. This will help protect those who may be more vulnerable to the effects of these infections and avoid impact on services at a very busy time of year.

• Anyone who has respiratory symptoms should stay at home until they have been symptom free for 48 hours.

• If you are concerned about your symptoms or your condition worsens, contact your GP or GP out of hours service.

Protecting babies and small children
• We can help protect babies by minimising their exposure to other people who have respiratory symptoms such as a cough or a runny nose. Even young children are quick at learning how to cover their coughs and sneezes to help prevent spread of infection, but also important to regularly wash our hands (particularly when returning from crèche or school, work or activities).

• It’s ok to ask someone who has respiratory symptoms not to come to visit your small baby, and it’s ok for you not to bring your baby to visit someone you know has respiratory symptoms.

• Sometimes it’s hard in big crowds to know if people might be sick or have respiratory symptoms, so if you are worried it might be best to keep small babies away from crowds for the next few weeks, while we are seeing high levels of flu, COVID 19 and RSV.

• If you are breastfeeding, please do continue, this helps protect the baby from infections. You shouldn’t let anyone smoke around your child as that will make their respiratory symptoms worse.

• Most respiratory symptoms in babies and children can be treated at home and there is no need to need to worry or get medical help. But you should trust your instincts. Bring your child to your GP if you are worried about them or if their symptoms worsen.

• There is good information, including advice on symptoms and treatment at www.hse.ie, if you, or someone in your family is suffering from respiratory illness this Christmas.

*Last week, there were 25 new cases of flu in the Mid-West (15 case increase on previous week; 58 in total since October); 38 new COVID-19 cases (12 case increase on previous week; 485 since October); and 72 new RSV cases (12 fewer than previous week, 376 since October)

08/12/2023

A message from HSE Mid-West. Please share with families, friends, and Facebook followers 👩‍⚕️
The HSE will set up a FREE HPV vaccine clinic at Kilrush Health Centre, Wednesday December 13th, as part of the Laura Brennan HPV vaccine catch-up campaign.
The HPV vaccine protects against HPV-related cancers and ge***al warts, and is available for all women under 25 and all men under 22.

You can register for free at www.HPV.ie

07/12/2023

A message from HSE Mid-West. Please share with families, friends, and Facebook followers 👩‍⚕️
The HSE will set up a FREE HPV vaccine clinic at St Brendan's Health Centre, Rossbrien, Limerick, Tuesday December 12th, as part of the Laura Brennan HPV vaccine catch-up campaign.
The HPV vaccine protects against HPV-related cancers and ge***al warts, and is available for all women under 25 and all men under 22.

You can register for free at www.HPV.ie

07/12/2023

A message from HSE Mid-West. Please share with families, friends, and Facebook followers 👩‍⚕️
The HSE will set up a FREE HPV vaccine clinic at Thurles Primary Care Centre, Monday December 11th , as part of the Laura Brennan HPV vaccine catch-up campaign.
The HPV vaccine protects against HPV-related cancers and ge***al warts, and is available for all women under 25 and all men under 22.

You can register for free at www.HPV.ie

02/12/2023

𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘁 ❄️

We are urging the public to be extra cautious on footpaths and the roads over the coming days. These conditions increase the risk of slips and falls. Please also look out for older and vulnerable family and friends

01/12/2023

A message from HSE Mid-West. Please share with families, friends, and Facebook followers 👩⚕️

The HSE will set up a FREE HPV vaccine clinic at the Shannon Health Centre, next Thursday (December 7th), as part of the Laura Brennan HPV vaccine catch-up campaign.

The HPV vaccine protects against HPV-related cancers and ge***al warts, and is available for all women under 25 and all men under 22.

You can register for free at www.HPV.ie

23/11/2023

A message from HSE Mid-West. Please share with families, friends, and Facebook followers 👩‍⚕️
The HSE will set up a FREE HPV vaccine clinic at Northside Youth Space, Ballynanty, Monday November 27th, as part of the Laura Brennan HPV vaccine catch-up campaign.
The HPV vaccine protects against HPV-related cancers and ge***al warts, and is available for all women under 25 and all men under 22.
You can register for free at www.HPV.ie

22/11/2023

‘𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲’: 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗶𝘃𝗼𝗿 𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝗛𝗣𝗩 𝘃𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗲
(Free HPV vaccine clinics in Ballynanty, Rosbrien, Shannon, Thurles, and Limerick City in coming weeks)

The HSE is urging young men and women in Limerick, Clare, and North Tipperary to get the life-saving HPV vaccine, as the Laura Brennan HPV vaccine catch-up campaign draws to a close in the coming weeks.

With limited clinics available until December 31, this will be the last chance for young people who haven't had the HPV vaccine before to avail of this crucial vaccine for free via www.HPV.ie.

As part of the Laura Brennan HPV (human papillomavirus) Vaccine Catch-Up Programme, the vaccine is available to:
• men, aged 21 and younger
• women, aged 24 and younger

The HPV vaccine protects against the types of HPV that cause approximately 90% of cervical cancers; 90-95% of HPV-related a**l cancer; and 90% of ge***al warts.

Due to high demand since the scheme was extended to young men in September, the HSE has decided to reopen clinics at primary care centres in the community, and will be opening clinics in community hubs over the coming weeks.

To date, we have vaccinated more than 860 people as part of the campaign.

Jennifer Purcell, from Limerick City, has been a strong, local advocate for the HPV vaccine since her experience with cervical cancer in 2019.

Her message to young women and men is to get protected in order to avoid serious illness later in life.

𝗝𝗲𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗲𝗿’𝘀 𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆

I was diagnosed with cervical cancer when I turned 25. It was during the summer of 2019, I didn't get to celebrate my birthday over drinks or have a party with friends. I spent my birthday in hospital, having surgery to remove cancer from my cervix.

At the time, Laura Brennan was running an extensive campaign for the HPV vaccine, as she was dying of cervical cancer at just 26. I was in awe of her relentlessness and resilience, I felt connected to this campaign in a way I can’t explain. Perhaps it was that we were similar in age, yet her life was being cut short when it could have been prevented.

I started doing some digging and realised the HPV vaccine was rolled out in secondary school the year after I finished, so I had just missed the window.

I guess hindsight is a great thing, and until tragedy strikes, we just never expect it could happen to us. But part of me felt a real sense of unease, an unease I couldn’t shake. Our bodies have a way of speaking to us; a sixth sense or a gut feeling, that something just isn’t right.

I got the letter just a few weeks before my 25th birthday to book my cervical screening, “can you come in tomorrow” said the nurse to my surprise, and it was like a sign.

I got a call a few weeks later with the news that I had highly abnormal precancerous cells (high grade dyskaryosis CIN2 and CIN3) which followed with a colposcopy and LLETZ treatment to remove the cells.

“Don’t be worrying,” said all my friends and family, who made a point of saying if it was anything more serious, they would call me within 2 weeks with results.

Two weeks later, I got that dreaded call. I had stage 1 Cervical Cancer at just 25 years old.

I stared blankly at the booklet, reading the words ‘understanding cervical cancer’ over and over again as the doctor muttered my action plan in the background. I had prepared myself for the worst, but I was lucky enough to have caught it so swiftly that the surgery removed it all. I thank Laura every day for potentially saving my life.

I didn’t have the chance to get the HPV vaccine for free, which could have prevented me from ever having cervical cancer, but it’s fantastic to see it being offered completely free until the end of the year to carry on Laura’s legacy.

The campaign ends in a few weeks’ time—at the end of December—and getting this free vaccine is giving people a unique chance to protect themselves against serious illness later in life.

The HPV vaccine is available to people with a cervix up to the age of 25 and has now been extended to males up to their 22nd birthday.

The vaccine protects against the types of HPV that cause approximately 90% of cervical cancers, 90-95% of HPV-related a**l cancer, and 90% of ge***al warts. HPV infection can lead to cancer in men, including pe**le, a**l, oral, and throat cancers, as well as ge***al warts.

I hope that we can achieve the goal of eliminating cervical cancer in Ireland, as Laura herself said: “Get your facts. Get the vaccine.”

10/11/2023

A message from HSE Mid-West. Please share with families, friends, and Facebook followers 👩‍⚕️

The HSE will set up a FREE HPV vaccine clinic at Thurles Primary Care Centre, Monday November 20th and Monday December 11th , as part of the Laura Brennan HPV vaccine catch-up campaign.

The HPV vaccine protects against HPV-related cancers and ge***al warts, and is available for all women under 25 and all men under 22.

You can register for free at www.HPV.ie

07/11/2023

A message from HSE Mid-West. Please share with families, friends, and Facebook followers 👩⚕️

The HSE will set up a FREE HPV vaccine clinic at the Ennis Primary Care Centre, Station Rd, Ennis -Next Tuesday (November 14th), as part of the Laura Brennan HPV vaccine catch-up campaign.

The HPV vaccine protects against HPV-related cancers and ge***al warts, and is available for all women under 25 and all men under 22.

You can register for free at www.HPV.ie