Mandatory measles immunity for migrant domestic workers working in households with young children

From 1 September 2025, employers of migrant domestic workers (MDWs) must ensure that their MDW has immunity against measles if their households have a child below seven years old who is not fully vaccinated against measles. This measure will enhance our public health resilience and protect unvaccinated young children who are at higher risk of serious health complications from measles infections.

2 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 measles immunity. The measles immunity requirement for MDWs aims to reduce the risk of transmission to young children who are not fully vaccinated against measles. ^[1]

3 Employers with children below seven years old in the household will be required to declare the following information at the point of the MDW’s work permit issuance (for new MDWs) or renewals (for existing MDWs) from 1 September 2025:

1. The MDW is already vaccinated or immune to measles; or
2. All children below seven years old in the household have been fully vaccinated; or
3. The MDW has not been vaccinated but a vaccination appointment has been booked for the MDW.

4 An MDW does not need to be vaccinated if she is immune to measles or all children below seven years old in the household are fully vaccinated against measles. As measles immunity can be acquired either through past infection or vaccination, the employer may provide documentary proof to MOM, such as a proof of completion of vaccination, serology test result or laboratory confirmation of past infection. Employers with existing MDWs are encouraged to review the immunity status of their MDW ahead of the permit renewal.

5 The measles vaccine is available as measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. To be fully vaccinated, two doses of the MMR vaccine are required, at an interval of at least four weeks (28 days) between doses. MMR vaccination is available for MDWs at private general practitioner (GP) clinics. Employers are advised to call the GP clinics and make an appointment prior to making the trip. Any costs incurred in meeting measles immunity requirements for MDWs (e.g. measles vaccination and/or measles serology test) will be borne by the employer.