Childhood Vaccination Rates Decline Below WHO Target, Measles and Whooping Cough Outbreaks Linked

Outbreaks of measles and whooping cough are linked to a continued decline in childhood vaccination uptake, according to Dr. Colm Henry, Chief Clinical Officer at the Health Service Executive (HSE). He informed the Oireachtas Health Committee on Wednesday that vaccination rates in Ireland, Europe, and worldwide remain below the 95 per cent WHO target for herd immunity.

For example, MMR vaccine uptake for children aged 24 months was 87.6 per cent in Q2 2025, and the six-in-one vaccine uptake was 90.4 per cent in Q2 2025. Reasons for this decline are complex, including misinformation, a lack of perceived risk for infectious diseases, and issues with vaccine access and trust in health systems. Dr. Eamonn O’Moore, HSE’s director of national health protection, noted that influencer remarks have globally impacted vaccine confidence.

Separately, politicians called for the shingles vaccine to be freely available to older adults. While the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) in 2024 deemed it not cost-effective, Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill stated in March that its introduction for immunocompromised individuals is being actively considered. Dr. Henry acknowledged the vaccine's effectiveness and potential secondary benefits like reducing dementia risk, but emphasized cost-effectiveness for reimbursement. Discussions are ongoing for subgroups such as stem cell and organ transplant recipients. Prof. Mary Horgan, Chief Medical Officer, expressed strong support for wider availability, and GSK, the shingles vaccine manufacturer, confirmed its commitment to ensuring equitable access.