TEENAGERS AND young adults are being advised to get MMR vaccines after the number of mumps cases exceeded 1,000 this year, nearly nine times the number of cases reported in 2007.
Figures released by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HSPCC) yesterday show 1,166 cases of mumps have been reported so far this year. This compares to 132 cases in 2007.
Dr Suzanne Cotter, a HSPC specialist in public health medicine, said the rise in cases, of which nearly 60 per cent affected 15-24 year olds, highlights the importance of getting vaccinated with two doses of MMR. She added that there were at least seven outbreaks in third-level colleges this year.
After two doses of the MMR vaccine 98 per cent of people are fully protected against mumps, according to Dr Breda Smyth, Public Health Doctor with HSE West.