Measles Vaccine for those travelling abroad – June 2019

Measles outbreaks continue to occur in Europe and other parts of the World.  Further information on countries affected can be found on www.who.int

The MMR vaccine is routinely given to children aged over 12 months.

The National Immunisation Advisory Committee have advised that all children aged 6 to 12 months of age should receive one dose of MMR vaccine before travelling to countries affected.   It further recommends that children aged 12 months of age and older should have received two doses of MMR vaccine before travelling to these countries.

New Service – 24 Hour Blood Pressure Monitoring

We are delighted to now be able to offer this service to our patients.  24 Hour Blood Pressure Monitoring is internationally recognised as the ‘Gold Standard’ method of both diagnosing and monitoring blood pressure.  If you have been told your blood pressure readings are elevated or are concerned about blood pressure in general, then please discuss this with your doctor.

Meningitis B

Ireland has the highest rate of Men B in Europe. Unfortunately approximately 170 people get Men B meningitis/septicaemia every year in Ireland. Children under 5y age are at especially high risk: the peak is babies of just five months of age. Teenagers are another high risk group. The stark figures reveal that 10% die, while a further 10% have major disability: (limb amputation, deafness and brain damage). Approximately 30% have long term psychological effects.

SYMPTOMS TO WATCH OUT FOR:                                                               

Always remember that not everyone gets all the symptoms, and the order in which symptoms develop is highly variable. Meningitis/septicaemia in young babies are especially challenging for parents to identify, and doctors to diagnose. About half of all children are sent home by the doctor first assessing them, as the symptoms of meningitis/septicaemia are common to many common minor illnesses. Above all trust your intuition: If you are not happy, or someone is getting worse, seek medical advice-fast. This is a race against time. Detailed advice about symptoms is available at http://www.meningitis.org/symptoms

Babies born in the Republic of Ireland since October 2016 are now being offered the vaccine.

The Men B vaccine is currently available at Woodview Family Doctors. If you would like to discuss Meningitis B vaccine for your children who were born pre October 2016,  please contact the surgery to discuss this further.   Supply and administration of the vaccine is not covered by the medical card.