Ireland is facing a setback in its measles vaccination efforts due to widespread misinformation linking the MMR vaccine to autism. This fake news has caused many parents to avoid vaccinating their children. A report to Health Minister Stephen Donnelly revealed that one in five 18-19 year olds are not immune to measles due to a lack of vaccination.
Autism, which is more commonly diagnosed in young boys, has been falsely associated with the MMR vaccine, leading to widespread vaccine hesitancy. This reluctance has resulted in less than 90% of the population being vaccinated, which falls short of the threshold needed to prevent outbreaks.
The health department also struggles with incomplete data on the vaccination status of the population, including health workers from abroad. Regionally, vaccination rates are as low as 77%, posing a significant risk for the spread of measles.
Following measles outbreaks in European countries, including the UK, Ireland has reported 47 cases. The report emphasizes the urgent need to vaccinate everyone up to 24 years old to prevent further outbreaks.4o