MMR vaccines are safe, most effective

14 November, Today

Review MMR vaccine here

In June, an Italian court ruled that the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine caused autism in a boy named Valentino Bocca.

Measles vaccination is compulsory in Singapore. Our polyclinics and most paediatricians administer this only in the form of the MMR vaccine. Are the relevant authorities reviewing the administration of the vaccine to our children?

Raymond Chiam

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Reply from MOH

17 November, Today

MMR vaccines are safe, most effective

Mr Raymond Chiam, in his letter "Review MMR vaccine here" (Nov 14), questioned if measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccines are safe for our children.

MMR vaccination is the most effective way to protect against these highly contagious childhood diseases that can lead to serious complications in children, and in the case of measles, even death.

As part of the National Childhood Immunisation Schedule, children here receive their first dose of the vaccine at 12 months of age and the second dose between 15 and 18 months so that they can be sufficiently protected.

Many carefully performed scientific studies - including those by the World Health Organisation, the United States' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the United Kingdom's National Health Service - have found no link between the vaccine and autism.

The MMR vaccines used in Singapore are approved by the Health Sciences Authority and are assessed to be safe. The Ministry of Health would encourage parents to protect their children from dangerous childhood diseases for which immunisations are available.

More information on the recommended childhood vaccines is available at www.nir.hpb.gov.sg. 

MMR vaccination for citizens is fully subsidised in polyclinics.

Bey Mui Leng (Ms)

Director, Corporate Communications

Ministry of Health