A Cork GP has welcomed the news that a national vaccination catch-up programme is to take place as a fifth measles case in Ireland was confirmed over the weekend.
Blackpool based Dr. John Sheehan says measles is one of the most contagious diseases and can have serious consequences such as brain damage, hearing loss and pneumonia.
The vaccination rate in Cork stands at 90% but overall Ireland's vaccination rate is below the World Health Organisation's recommended rate.
Speaking to RedFM News Dr Sheehan says children will be targeted in the catch up programme as many may have missed their routine vaccinations due to covid lockdowns.
"The lockdowns and everything that happened, the vaccination rates did go down. And there was an amateur vaccine fatigue with all the other vaccines that were going around and things like that as well. So, you know, we're encouraging people to check, you know, if they if they've got one dose, they need a second dose, even one dose you're about 90% protected. So it's a very effective vaccine."
