43 measles cases in first 4 months of 2019, almost triple from last year
The Republic had 43 cases of measles in the first four months of this year, nearly three times more than during the same period last year, as a result of increased global outbreaks, Health Minister Gan Kim Yong said. Of these cases, 33 were unvaccinated.
SINGAPORE — The Republic had 43 cases of measles in the first four months of this year, nearly three times more than during the same period last year, as a result of increased global outbreaks.
However, there was no “community outbreak” and the cases were “sporadic” or had “limited spread”, said Health Minister Gan Kim Yong in Parliament on Tuesday (May 7).
Mr Gan was responding to a question from Member of Parliament (MP) Chia Shi-Lu on how the rise of measle cases around the world has affected Singapore.
“In recent years, there has been a global increase in measles outbreaks because of declining vaccination coverage in many countries,” said Mr Gan.“This has resulted in a significant increase of non-immune individuals in the community, making it easier for the disease to spread.”
Of the 43 measles cases in the first four months of this year, 33 of the patients were not vaccinated.
And among the unvaccinated cases, nine were infants who were not yet due to receive their measles vaccination, while the rest were aged between one and 54 years old, added Mr Gan.
Overall, Singapore’s measles vaccination coverage among resident children is now at 95 per cent for the first dose at two years old, and 93 per cent for the second dose at seven years old, he said.
There are “varied factors” why some Singaporean children are unvaccinated, Mr Gan said, adding that in many cases, the parents were just “passive” and waiting for the next convenient occasion to bring their children to the doctor for the vaccination.
“Unfortunately, sometimes, that occasion never came,” he said.
The Health Promotion Board sends reminders to parents whose children have yet to complete measles vaccination by two years old, and the vaccinations are provided in primary and secondary schools for students, he noted.
Measles vaccination is available for free to all Singaporean children at polyclinics as well. The Ministry of Health is also looking to send reminders ahead of vaccination due dates to parents, added Mr Gan.
In a supplementary question, Dr Chia, an MP in Tanjong Pagar Group Representation Constituency, asked if actions will be taken against parents who do not vaccinate their children.
He raised the example of Germany, where its Health Minister said that parents can be fined up to 2,500 Euros for not vaccinating their children against measles, in a draft legislation last weekend.
“We are looking into various possibilities,” replied Mr Gan.
