There is currently a major outbreak of mumps in Ireland with more than 3,400 cases in 2009 (up to 1st August 2009) and 1,377 in 2008. This outbreak has been predominantly among young adults in third level education, with the peak incidence in the 18 to 25 age group.
Many young adults aged 18-25 years have not received two doses of mumps (MMR) vaccine and thus third level colleges have large numbers of susceptible individuals facilitating ongoing transmission of mumps infection.
MMR protects against measles, mumps and rubella. Two doses are needed to protect against infection.
What is Mumps?
Mumps is an acute viral illness that causes fever, headache and painful swollen salivary glands.
How is it spread?
It is spread from person to person by coughs and sneezes. It can also be transmitted through direct contact with saliva, including kissing.
How serious is it?
You could be ill enough to miss two weeks from college, studying, taking exams or socialising.
What are the complications?
Generally complications are mild but mumps can cause meningitis, deafness, inflammation of the pancreas, ovaries or testicles.
How can you be protected?
Immunisation with MMR vaccine is the best protection. Two doses of MMR are recommended to offer you full protection.
Who needs to get the MMR?
If you are under 25 and have only had one dose of MMR you need to have a second dose. If you were never vaccinated with MMR you need two doses. Older students usually don’t need MMR vaccine as they probably were infected with mumps as young children before the vaccine was available.
How many doses of MMR have you ever recieved?
If you do not know how many doses of MMR vaccine you have recieved, check your immunisation records (check with a parent / GP / HSE Community Care Office). If you still are unsure you should go ahead and get at least one dose of MMR.
Where do you get the MMR vaccine?
Contact your student health service.
REMEMBER MMR VACCINE IS NOT JUST FOR CHILDREN
For further information
You can download the mumps leaflet here or download the posters below
Download the JACK A3 Poster here or the A4 Poster here
Download the JILL A3 Poster here or the A4 Poster here
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