Parents in County Galway are being urged to have their children immunised against measles after an outbreak of the potentially deadly illness.
A emergency clinic has been set in Tuam today to administer vaccines. It remains open until 5 p.m.
Up to 20 children are suffering from the disease after an outbreak at a national school and a day care centre in the town.
Teams of doctors from the Western Health Board have begun administering supplies of the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine in a bid to prevent an epidemic.
Continuing fears about the safety of the MMR vaccine have led to a recent drop-off in the number of parents having children immunised. But medical experts have repeated that there is no proven risk of autism or bowel disease stemming from the vaccine.
The doctors, supported by a team of nurses, spent yesterday immunising youngsters who have not already had the injection.
More were being offered the vaccination today - with doctors appealing particularly to the parents of children aged between 12 months and five years to take their children for the injection.
The health board was desperate to prevent an epidemic following the deaths of three children during a major outbreak in Dublin in 2000. More than 1,500 children also fell ill.
About 75 per cent of children in the area have been immunised but doctors said a 95 per cent uptake was necessary to stop an outbreak spreading.
Last week the board confirmed that 10 children from an extended family living in east Galway had contracted measles.
The Western Health Board has set up a helpline to advise parents on the situation. The helpline’s number is: 1800-622211.
Three children died after a major measles outbreak in Dublin in 2000.
Additional reporting PA
