Parents Urged To Get Their Children Vaccinated Against Measles

There has been an increase in the number of cases of measles reported to the Ministry of Health (MOH) this year. As of 21 May, a total of 50 measles cases were reported in 2016, as compared to 17 cases in 2015 during the same period. MOH reminds parents that measles vaccination is compulsory and they should bring their children for vaccination if they have not done so, or missed the vaccination schedule. 

2.            34 of the 40 local cases this year were children. 17 (42.5%) were children under the age of one year who were not due for the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination. 14 (35%) were children between the age of one to six years who had missed their MMR vaccination and three were children at the age of one year who had received only one dose of MMR vaccination.

3.            Measles is one of the most highly infectious diseases. It is spread through air droplets and direct contact with nasal and throat secretions. Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat and rashes. Even before the onset of symptoms, a patient could already be infectious.  

4.            Vaccination is the best preventive measure against measles. In Singapore, measles vaccination for children is mandated under the Infectious Diseases Act. Under the National Childhood Immunisation Schedule, the first dose of the MMR vaccination should be given at 12 months and the second dose at 15 to 18 months. MOH reminds parents that it is important to ensure that their young children receive two doses of the MMR vaccination on time.

5.            Pre-school children who have missed one or both doses of measles vaccination should be vaccinated without delay. Other persons in the family who have not been vaccinated against measles are advised to be vaccinated, especially if there is a baby being cared for at home. Persons who have not been vaccinated previously should receive two doses of the MMR vaccination. Those who were previously vaccinated with only one dose of MMR should receive a second dose of MMR as catch-up vaccination.

6.            The National Immunisation Registry at the Health Promotion Board routinely sends out reminder letters to all children aged two years of age who have not had their measles vaccinations. The School Health Services also provide MMR vaccine to Primary One (6 to 7 years old) students who did not receive the second dose in their pre-school years.

7.            The MMR vaccination is available at polyclinics, private general practitioner clinics and private paediatric clinics. It is fully subsidised for Singapore citizens at polyclinics and Medisave can also be used at the private general practitioner and private paediatric clinics.