Get your jab before traveling to Euro 2012

SOCCER fans planning to travel to Euro 2012 are being warned by health officials that they may be at risk of missing out on the tournament due to a large measles outbreak in Ukraine, and, high measles rates in other European countries such as France, Germany and Italy.
There have been at least 5,000 cases of measles in the Ukraine in the first three months of 2012, according to Dr Melissa Canny, HSE Public Health Specialist.
“Measles is one of the most infectious diseases known to man and fans who have not received the MMR vaccine are at risk of getting measles which can lead to serious complications.
“Vaccination with MMR vaccine is the only way to protect against measles. Anyone born after 1978 and who has not been vaccinated should visit their GP to get the vaccine. Those who are unsure of whether they have received the jab or not should get vaccinated anyway, as an additional dose will do no harm. However, those born before 1978 are likely to have had measles already so do not need to get the vaccine,” she advised.
“Considering the huge expense many fans are incurring going to the finals it would be a great shame to miss the matches because of measles. The best advice is; get the MMR vaccine before you go,” said Dr Canny.
More information on measles and MMR vaccine is available at www.immunisation.ie and www.hpsc.ie.