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VaccinationsSingapore recorded more measles cases in the first four months of 2026 than in some entire recent years. Almost every case had one thing in common — the person was not fully vaccinated.
Singapore recorded 11 measles cases in January 2026 alone — compared with just two in January 2025, and matching the total for the whole of 2024. A further twelve cases followed between February and late March. By 28 April 2026, 31 cases had been reported for the year.
That last figure is the one worth pausing on. Of the 31 cases, five were infants under 12 months — too young for their first MMR dose. Of the remaining 24 who were old enough to be vaccinated, just one was fully vaccinated. Two had received a single dose. The other twenty-one had no vaccination history, or none that could be established.
Measles is not spreading among the vaccinated. It is finding the small number of people who are not protected.
Singapore's rise mirrors a global one. The World Health Organization reported around 11 million measles infections worldwide in 2024, exceeding pre-pandemic levels. In the Western Pacific region, confirmed cases climbed roughly five-fold in a single year.
At least seven countries — among them Canada and the United Kingdom — have lost their measles elimination status because the virus began circulating continuously again. Singapore achieved elimination status in 2018, and most of our cases are still linked to overseas travel. But with high travel volumes and pockets of unvaccinated people, imported cases keep arriving.
Infants and immunocompromised people can't be protected directly. They depend on everyone around them being immune — what's known as herd immunity. Singapore's first-dose MMR coverage has consistently exceeded 95%, which is why a large outbreak remains unlikely. But that protection only holds if it's maintained.
Extremely. Measles is one of the most transmissible diseases known. It spreads through the air and through contact with nasal and throat secretions, and an infected person is contagious from about four days before the rash appears until four days after — meaning they spread it before they know they have it.
It is also not a trivial illness. Measles can cause pneumonia and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), and complications are most common in children under five.
If you or your child develops these symptoms — particularly after overseas travel, or after contact with a case — call the clinic before coming in. Because measles spreads through the air, letting us know in advance allows us to see you safely without exposing others in the waiting room.
From 1 April 2026, the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) made its stepped-up measures the new baseline. In practice, that means:
The response is simple, and it hasn't changed: make sure you and your family have had two doses of the MMR vaccine.
Under the National Childhood Immunisation Schedule, MMR is given at 12 months and again at 15 months. Measles vaccination is compulsory for children under 12 living in Singapore under the Infectious Diseases Act. If your child has missed a dose, catch-up vaccination is straightforward — just book an appointment.
If you were never vaccinated, or have no evidence of past infection or immunity, the National Adult Immunisation Schedule recommends two MMR doses at least four weeks apart. If you simply don't know, that's very common, and easily resolved: a blood test can check your immunity, or we can vaccinate you.
If you're heading somewhere with measles circulating, confirm your immunity four to six weeks before departure — enough time to complete vaccination if you need it.
If you are planning a pregnancy, check your immunity first. MMR is a live vaccine and must be completed at least one month before conceiving — and rubella infection during pregnancy can seriously harm a baby.
The MMR vaccine is available at our clinics, as well as at polyclinics and other GP clinics. Eligible Singapore Citizens receive subsidies at CHAS GP clinics, and MediSave can be used at MediSave-accredited clinics. It's safe, highly effective, and confers long-term immunity after two doses.
You can read more on our MMR vaccine page, or see the full range on our vaccinations page.
Book an appointment at any of our clinics. We can check your vaccination records, test your immunity, or give you the MMR vaccine.
Book an appointmentPublished February 2026, updated July 2026. Figures are drawn from the Ministry of Health and the Communicable Diseases Agency, and were accurate at the time of writing.
The measles situation changes as cases are reported and public health measures are reviewed. For the latest position, please see cda.gov.sg or moh.gov.sg.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Please speak to our doctors about your own circumstances.