A measles epidemic is under way, with 1,221 cases notified during the first six months of this year, compared to 73 cases for the same period last year. There is evidence that it is spreading from Dublin to other parts of the State, the National Disease Surveillance Centre has warned.
The epidemic has claimed the lives of two children in north Dublin and cases are running at their highest level since 1993.
To combat the epidemic, health boards are to launch a vaccination campaign for schoolchildren in the autumn.
Measles is a contagious infection which can, in some cases, lead to pneumonia, swelling of the brain and death.
The epidemic began to emerge in the inner city in Dublin at Christmas. By July 1st, the eastern region had notified 997 cases of measles to the authorities, predominantly in north Dublin.
This contrasts with a total of 148 cases in the whole State last year.
Outside the east, the largest number of cases in the first half of the year have been in the south-eastern (67), southern (59), and north-eastern regions (33), and particularly in Kerry and Waterford, according to Dr Darina O'Flanagan, NDSC director.
The 1,221 cases notified so far this year represent the worst year for infection since 1993, when 4,328 cases were notified.
The latest figures reveal that none of the Republic's health board regions has achieved the 95 per cent rate of immunisation recommended by experts. Immunisation rates range from 68 to 86 per cent.
Children are normally vaccinated against measles twice through the MMR immunisation programme at 15 months and 11 to 12 years.
To combat the spread of the epidemic, the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland has endorsed the reduction of the age for the first dose to six months. They will be vaccinated again at 15 months and again at five to six years. The vaccination is ineffective in about 10 per cent of children who first get it and this is why follow-up vaccinations are given, Dr O'Flanagan said.