HSE concerned in significant drop in babies being vaccinated

The HSE has expressed concern following what’s been described as a “significant” drop in the number of babies being vaccinated in Donegal.
Parents are being urged to ensure they avail of all vaccinations, with the HSE pointing out it takes five GP visits to ensure a child is fully protected against serious diseases.
While most babies are receiving some vaccinations, the HSE is urging parents to ensure they avail of vaccinations at 12 and 13 years of age.
In order to protect all children from certain serious infections over 95% of babies must be vaccinated, according to the HSE, but at present, current uptake rates for the 13 month vaccinations in Co. Donegal are well below this figure at 77-78%.
Dr Anthony Breslin, Specialist in Public Health Medicine says the benefits of vaccinations at 2, 4 and 6-months are prolonged beyond the first year of life if babies receive their booster vaccinations at 12-months and 13-months.
He says the vaccines at 12 months reduce the risk of measles, mumps, rubella and pneumonia, while at 13 months, babies are vaccinated against meningitis C and haemophilus influenza.