Government of SP issues warning for measles vaccination before cruise season

The São Paulo State Department of Health (SES-SP) issued an alert advising passengers and crew for the 2026/2027 cruise season to check their measles vaccination record. The season starts on October 30th, at the Port of Santos, on the coast of São Paulo, with an expected circulation of around 832 thousand people.

The alert considers the international circulation of the virus and the intense movement of passengers and crew of different nationalities, factors that may favor the transmission of the disease. According to the SP government, care must be taken before the cruise, during and after the trip (see below).

Care

According to the secretariat, people with a fever and red spots on the body, especially if accompanied by a cough, runny nose or conjunctivitis, should postpone their trip and seek medical attention.

During the cruise, it is also recommended to adopt hygiene and prevention measures, such as:

wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use alcohol gel

cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing

avoid sharing glasses, cutlery and food

keep environments clean and ventilated

avoid close contact with sick people and crowds in poorly ventilated places

If symptoms begin during the cruise, it is important to notify the ship's health team immediately and follow care guidelines.

After disembarking, travelers should remain alert for the appearance of symptoms for up to 30 days. If you suspect measles, the advice is to seek a health service and inform them about the trip. Whenever possible, the service should be notified before arrival to organize care and reduce the risk of transmission.

Vaccination

According to the government of SP, vaccination coverage against measles increased in the state of São Paulo between April and August 2026. During the period, the rate for the first dose increased from 86.56% to 96.29%, while that for the second dose rose from 72.72% to 83.81%.

Check the vaccination schedule:

Children: first dose at 12 months and second dose at 15 months.

People aged 15 months to 29 years: two proven doses, with a minimum interval of 30 days between them.

People aged 30 to 59: at least one proven dose.

Healthcare workers: two proven doses, regardless of age.

The zero dose is indicated for children aged 6 to 11 months and 29 days living in the municipalities of São Paulo, Guarulhos, São Bernardo do Campo and Santo André. It can also be recommended in blocking actions after contact with a suspected or confirmed case, as assessed by epidemiological surveillance. This dose does not replace those scheduled at 12 and 15 months.

Children under one year of age, people aged 60 or over and people with immunosuppression require individual assessment regarding vaccination. The MMR vaccine is contraindicated during pregnancy, for children under six months of age and in certain conditions of immunosuppression.