Measles immunity required for maids working in households with young kids not fully vaccinated

SINGAPORE - From September, employers of migrant domestic workers (MDWs) must ensure that their helper is

immune to measles

if their household has a child under the age of seven who is not fully vaccinated against the disease.

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said in a release on June 10 that this measure will enhance public health resilience and protect unvaccinated young children who are at higher risk of serious health complications from measles infections.

At the point of a work permit issuance for new MDWs or renewals for existing MDWs from Sept 1, employers with children below seven years old in the household will be required to declare if the helper is already vaccinated or immune to measles.

They may also need to declare if the child in the household is fully vaccinated, or if a vaccination appointment has been scheduled for the helper if she is not yet vaccinated, MOM added.

A helper does not need to be vaccinated if she is already immune to measles, or if all children under seven in the household are fully vaccinated.

Measles immunity can be acquired through past infection or vaccination. The employer may provide MOM proof of this, such as completion of vaccination, serology test result or laboratory confirmation of past infection.

To be fully vaccinated, two doses of the measles vaccine, available at general practitioner clinics, are required. The cost of two doses is around $80 to $140.

The employer has to bear any costs incurred in meeting the measles immunity requirement, said MOM.

The ministry encourages those who already have helpers to review their immunity status ahead of work permit renewals.

It will conduct sample checks and may request documentary proof of helpers’ immunity.

If MDWs are required to have measles immunity but are not immune, their work pass privileges may be suspended until valid proof of vaccination is provided.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that is transmitted through the air.

Despite high vaccination coverage and population immunity in Singapore, sporadic cases and small clusters of measles are still expected among individuals who are not immune due to the highly transmissible nature of the disease.

Given Singapore’s position as a major travel hub, the surge in measles cases globally and regionally continues to pose public health risks, particularly for those without immunity, MOM said.

The new requirement seeks to minimise the risk of measles transmission to vulnerable children who are not fully protected against the disease.

Employers are also strongly encouraged to vaccinate their helpers or ascertain their immunity if there are household members with weakened immune systems.