The HSE National Immunistion Office (NIO) joined the World Health Organization (WHO) European Immunisation Week (EIW) for the 20th year during the week 21st – 27th April 2024.
Ahead of EIW, the HSE launched a campaign to highlight the importance of immunisation in protecting babies and children against serious diseases. Since 2020, the uptake of primary childhood immunisation has declined across all vaccines, including whooping cough, measles, mumps and rubella, polio, meningitis and diphtheria and as a result we are seeing a re-emergence of some of these diseases.
Pregnant women were also encouraged to get the pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine between 16 and 36 weeks of pregnancy. Getting the vaccine means pregnant women will be protected against whooping cough, and this vital immunity will protect their new born baby during their earliest, most vulnerable months before they can be vaccinated themselves.
Using a mix of traditional and digital channels, we shared key messages to highlight the importance of childhood immunisations. A Press release was issued to highlight some of the key messages from our campaign
Our Director Dr Lucy Jessop Consultant in Public Health Medicine – National Immunisation Lead spoke about the campaign and vaccines for children and young people on Claire Byrne. The campaign also picked up media coverage in Irish Independent, The Irish Examiner, The Irish Mirror, The Irish Daily Mail and The Irish Sun.
The focus of our communications campaign was heavily digital- and social-led to reach our target audiences and deliver an informative, engaging campaign.
Campaign messages can be found here:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HSElive/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irishhealthservice/
X: https://twitter.com/HSELive #EIW2024
Website: www.immunisation.ie and www.mychild.ie
