The MMR vaccine is given at twelve months of age and again when your child is in junior infants at school. It is 95% effective at protecting against Measles, Mumps and Rubella. Measles is a highly infections disease which is spread easily and there is a current out break in Ireland so the HSE are recommending that anyone with young children who does not have their vaccines up to date contact their healthcare provider to arrange vaccination as soon as possible.
I would like to highlight that there is no link between the MMR and autism. The MMR has been protecting children from these diseases since 1988. Extensive research has been undertaken on the area.
According the the HSE parents should:
“Make sure you or your children are up to date with your MMR vaccines.
Please go to your GP for MMR vaccination if:
- you have not had 2 doses of MMR vaccine
- you have a preschool or primary school child who never had MMR vaccine
- you have a primary school child who missed out on the 2nd dose
- you are not sure if your child has had 2 doses of MMR vaccine”
Some people diagnosed with measles attended GP surgeries and paediatric hospitals in Dublin and Meath from the 19th October 2017 and thus there is an increased likelihood that more cases will occur as these people would have been infectious. You can be infectious for four days before the measles symptoms appear and they can be tricky to diagnose so it is obvious how this disease can be so infectious within a community.
The HPSC have advised that patients who show symptoms suggestive of measles should stay at home, not go to school or work and phone your GP and explain that you may have measles. Those most at risk of catching measles are those who are not fully vaccinated with 2 doses of MMR vaccine such as babies younger than 12 months who are too young to be vaccinated, and those with weakened immune systems.
To learn more all about the symptoms of measles and how to treat it read my full measles blog by clicking here!
I hope you have found this article helpful and if you have any questions at all please don’t hesitate to contact me by sending a private message to the WonderBaba facebook page (www.facebook.com/wonderbabacare) or by calling me (Sheena) at Milltown totalhealth Pharmacy in Dublin 6 on 012600262. I’m always happy to help!
References:
- https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/news/media/pressrel/measles-dublin-meath-update.html
- https://www.hse.ie/eng/health/immunisation/pubinfo/babychildimm/vaccprevdisease/mmr/
- http://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/vaccinepreventable/measles/factsheet/measlesnotjustarash/
After three children and five and a half years of continuous nappy changing its fair to say as a Pharmacist I have had a vested interest in trying out all of the many many nappy rash creams that are available on the Irish market! I’ve had phases with little or no nappy rash to battle and phases where it has felt impossible to clear! For the last couple of months I have unfortunately been battling a particularly persistent case so I was excited and eager to try the new Mustela 123 Vitamin Barrier Cream which arrived on our shelves in Milltown totalhealth Pharmacy…yes I am that sad – this is exactly the kind of thing that makes my day at the moment!! 
Chicken Pox is an infection which is caused by the Varicella Zoster virus. It is responsible for a horrible rash which normally starts as small red spots which then turn into fluid filled blisters after about 12-14 hours. These blisters can be extremely itchy and your child may be very out of sorts when they start to appear (i have horrible memories of trying to comfort them whilst they wriggled with pain in their sleep at night!). The blisters remain like this for a day or two before becoming cloudy and drying up. They most commonly appear on the chest, back, and face but also affect the arms and legs. Unfortunately they can also appear inside the ears, mouth and on the nappy area. It’s really important to do all that you can to ensure your child is comfortable during this time. It’s also important to minimise the itching and scratching of the blisters to prevent them from becoming infected and scarring.
if you suspect your child’s blisters have become infected. You should also contact your GP:
I hope you find this helpful and if you have any questions at all please don’t hesitate to contact me by sending a private message to the WonderBaba facebook page (
Measles is a contagious viral illness which is most common among children age one to four years of age. The MMR vaccine is the most effective way to protect your child against measles and due to its success Ireland has a very low level of measles cases. However in recent years controversy surrounding the vaccine which included an association with autism has resulted in some parents choosing not to vaccinate their children. The World Health Organisation state that ‘no evidence exists of a causal association between MMR vaccine and autism or autistic disorders’. In addition the HSE website shows a quote from Autism Speaks (2015), the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organisation has stated, “Over the last two decades, extensive research has asked whether there is any link between childhood vaccinations and autism. The results of this research are clear: Vaccines do not cause autism. We urge that all children be fully vaccinated”
A red-brown spotty rash which appears two to four days after the initial symptoms occur. The rash can last for up to eight days and usually starts at the top of the head and works its way down the body.
The measles virus is spread by coughing and sneezing as it is present in the tiny water particles which are expelled by an infected person. If an infected person coughs or sneezes in close proximity to you, or you touch something which they have coughed or sneezed on, you may ingest the virus and thus become infected. The measles virus can survive on surfaces for a couple of hours. Symptoms of the measles start to appear about ten days after you have caught the infection. You are contagious and can spread the virus from two to four days before the rash appears to about five days after.
When to contact the doctor?
I hope you have found this article helpful and if you have any questions at all please don’t hesitate to contact me by sending a private message to the WonderBaba facebook page (
What does it look like?
Scarlet Fever is a rare bacterial illness which causes a red-pink rash with the feel of sand paper. It can start in one area but spread to many. It often causes a flushed looking red face which gives rise to the name scarlet fever and is also referred to sometimes in mild forms as scarlatina. It is caused by haemolytic streptococci which is a member of the streptococcus group of bacteria. It most commonly affects children between the ages of four and eight and often affects people who have been in contact with someone with a streptococcal throat or skin infection. Children under two have some immunity from their mothers and children over ten will have developed immunity themselves to the toxins from streptoccal bacteria. 
Viral infections, whilst very scary, are usually not life threatening. Hospital tests are often required to differentiate between bacterial and viral menigitis and it’s extremely important to seek medical attention if meningitis is suspected as urgent antibiotic treatment is needed for the bacterial form of the disease. Examples of viruses which can cause meningitis are enteroviruses and the herpes simplex virus. 