Measles is a very contagious disease caused by a virus. Measles starts with a fever. Soon after, it causes a cough, runny nose, and red eyes. Then a rash of tiny, red spots breaks out. It starts at the head and spreads to the rest of the body. Measles can be serious for young children. It can lead to pneumonia, encephalitis (swelling of the brain), and death. Measles spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It is so contagious that if one person has it, 90% of the people around him or her will also become infected if they are not protected.
In Singapore, children receive both doses of Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine at a younger age. MMR vaccination is the most effective way to protect against measles, mumps, and rubella, which are highly contagious childhood diseases that can lead to serious complications in children and in the case of measles, even death. Children receive their first dose of the MMR vaccine at 12 months of age. The second dose of the vaccine at 15-18 months of age. Providing the two doses at a closer interval will ensure that almost all vaccinated children are sufficiently protected against measles earlier in their lives.
For whatever reasons, if the child has missed the vaccination, as responsible parents we should not just let it go and assume such virus will never happen on the child. Parents should ensure the child is protected with proper vaccination. If you have domestic maid, do ensure she is vaccinated too.
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