31 Dec 2021
MH 78:44/1
IMMUNITY AGAINST MEASLES AND DIPHTHERIA FOR WORKERS IN HEALTHCARE INSTITUTIONS
The Ministry of Health (MOH) has developed a set of Licensing Terms and Conditions (LTCs) under the Private Hospitals and Medical Clinics Act (PHMCA) that lay out the immunity requirements against measles and diphtheria for staff working in healthcare institutions. The intention is to ensure that staff working in healthcare institutions do not inadvertently become the conduits for spreading such diseases to their patients or other healthcare workers.
Scope
2 The scope of the LTCs will cover all individuals employed or engaged (whether by the Licensee or otherwise) to perform regular work (1) for Licensees or (2) in Licensees’ premises or conveyances, or who are regular volunteers with licensees.
Requirements
3 The LTCs set out the following requirements:
a. Measles. Licensees must ensure that all staff other than Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents who are (i) born in Singapore and (ii) before 1 January 19752 , have immunity against measles. Acceptable evidence of immunity includes documented proof of vaccination, or serological evidence of immunity or laboratory confirmation of measles infection. 1 This is adapted from MOH Circular No. 41/2018: Immunisation of Healthcare Workers – Latest Recommendations 2 A seroprevalence study showed that there is a high level of immunity against measles in this group of persons. 2
b. Diphtheria. Licensees must ensure that all staff have immunity against diphtheria, and acceptable evidence of immunity includes documented proof of vaccination. Licensees should also ensure that staff are vaccinated with a booster dose of tetanus and diphtheria toxoids (Td) or Tdap every 10 years.
c. Exemptions. The LTCs provide exemptions for (i) staff whose work does not involve direct interactions with patients and who do not work within any premises of a healthcare institutions which provides services that involve direct interaction with patients; (ii) staff who are medically unfit for vaccinations; and (iii) staff who perform work for the Licensee on a one-off basis.
d. Record Keeping. The LTCs set out the type of records the Licensee should obtain and maintain, as well as the period of time which the Licensee should keep the records for.
4 The LTCs will take effect from 3 January 2022. The LTCs are not applicable to Licensees who will be covered under Healthcare Services Act (HCSA) from 3 January 2022, as the requirements will be enforced under the HCSA General Regulations and LTCs. A copy of the LTCs is available at Annex A. Should you require further clarification, please send your queries via email to elis@moh.gov.sg.
Thank you.
Yours faithfully
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR KENNETH MAK
DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL SERVICES
MINISTRY OF HEALTH
The full document (including Annex A) may be downloaded below:
Download [.pdf, 129KB]
Annex A:
Download [.pdf, 98KB]